Alternative Energy

There are two main types of biofuels today: ethanol for gasoline engines and vegetable oil blends for diesel engines.

Ethanol encompasses bioethanol, obtained directly by fermenting sugars from grains or sugar plants; ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), obtained by synthesizing bioethanol and isobutylene; E85, a gasoline blend containing 85% denatured fuel ethanol; and E10, or gasohol, a blend containing 10% ethanol. The latter became available in the European Union in April 2009.

Oilseeds such as rapeseed, sunflower, oil palm and soybeans can be esterified to produce fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) — sometimes known as vegetable oil methyl ester (VOME) — or biodiesel. One of our most recent products, Ecolium 30 , contains 30% FAME for example.

We have been blending ETBE and ethanol into our gasoline since 1992 and have extensive experience with the process. In 2008, our refineries incorporated 790,000 metric tons of ETBE into gasoline and 1,470,000 metric tons of FAME into diesel marketed to customers, solidifying our leadership in Europe.

Over the years, Total Refining & Marketing’s researchers and technology specialists have acquired expert knowledge about the optimal conditions for using these bio-source fuels. They continue to work closely with manufacturers in a number of areas, including adapting engines and exhaust gas post-treatment systems, adjusting fuel and lubricant specifications, and developing the most efficient additives.

Building on this expertise, we are working to broaden the range of usable renewable resources and develop next-generation biofuels while meeting the requirements of more stringent European Union regulations. These directives call for gradually increasing the percentage of bio-based fuels by 2020 to respond to three main concerns: diversifying energy supply, tackling climate change, and creating new markets for agriculture.