All solutions need to be explored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially developing renewable energies such as photovoltaic solar energy, biofuels and ocean energy.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy

Involved in solar energy for over 20 years, Total is positioned across most of the photovoltaic chain through our subsidiaries Photovoltech¹, which makes cells, and Tenesol, a 50/50 joint venture with Electricité de France (EDF), which manufactures modules and designs, installs and maintains complete systems.

The photovoltaic solar power market is experiencing very strong growth in many industrialized countries thanks to installations connected to public or industrial grids and that benefit from high-incentive power buyback prices. Total wants to participate in the expansion of the photovoltaic industry, which clearly helps reduce CO2 emissions in comparison with conventional power generation systems.

In both our subsidiaries, we prefer crystalline silicon, which has proved its reliability, with manufacturers offering 25-year commercial warranties. Our R&D policy in this area is designed to reduce production costs and limit our raw silicon requirements.

Total has also invested substantially in the electrification of isolated rural villages. We are taking part in three large-scale rural electrification programs, in South Africa, Mali and Morocco, providing maintenance, repairs and after-sales services. Around 35,000 households have access to electricity under these programs.

Decentralized rural electrification program in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

(1) Total and EDF both hold 50% of Tenesol

Biomass and Biofuels

Made up of organic matter from living organisms, biomass is the world's leading renewable energy source. It not only has heat and power applications, but is also used for biofuels and even bioproducts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its renewable nature.

Total is active in both main first-generation biofuels:

• Ethanol, used directly or transformed into ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) for gasoline-powered vehicles.
• Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), also known as vegetable oil methyl esters (VOME), for diesel-powered vehicles.

However, these first-generation fuels are receiving mixed reviews: they are expensive to produce and derived from crops that compete with other land use, especially food crops. To overcome these drawbacks, we developing second-generation biofuels with more promising properties.

Total is working with top-tier partners in a major R&D push in this area. We also work through partnerships with universities, or other companies, including Enerbio, a fund created with Axens, Renault and Sofiprotéol, or under the national bioenergy research program initiated by the French National Research Agency (ANR). We also share our expertise with the public through the European Biofuels Technology Platform.

To learn more, go to the Special Report on Biofuels.

Marine Energy

With our wind power activities now in the observation phase, notably at a 12 MW wind farm equipped with five latest-generation turbines in Mardyck, near Dunkirk, France, we are also investing in marine energy.

We have a 10% interest in a pilot project off Spain’s northern coast, which entered the test phase in 2006.

We have also acquired a 21.5% interest in Scotrenewables  Marine Power Ltd. Based in Orkney Islands in Scotland, the company specializes in the development of tidal turbine technology. 

1. Total had a 47.8 % interest in Photovoltech in 2007.