{"id":81857,"date":"2025-03-06T06:41:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T05:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/?p=81857"},"modified":"2025-04-09T09:05:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:05:44","slug":"snow-groomers-which-fuel-makes-sense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/si-alpin\/topics\/snowmaking-slopemaintrance\/snow-groomers-which-fuel-makes-sense\/","title":{"rendered":"Snow groomers: Which fuel makes sense?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 gradient-container-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-1\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-1 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-2\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>&#8220;Power-to-X&#8221; is the title of a study that was presented at the General Assembly of the\u00a0 Swiss Graub\u00fcnden Mountain Railways (BBGR).<\/p>\n<p>The study examines the feasibility of in-house hydrogen production by GEVAG (Waste Incineration Plant Trimmis GR) for the production of methane for Energie Wasser Chur (IBC) and methanol for the snow groomers of the Grisons Mountain Railways.<\/p>\n<p>The study was conducted by TBF + Partner AG, a specialist in waste disposal and energy based in Zurich, on behalf of GEVAG, IBC, the Association of Operators of Swiss Waste Disposal Plants (VBSA), and BBGR.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mario Illien<\/strong>, a world-renowned engine builder &#8211; known for his work with Formula 1 and Indycar Series in the USA &#8211; advocated in his guest lecture for using HVO fuel for the snow groomers instead of methanol.<\/p>\n<p>HVO is diesel made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. Methanol is an organic alcohol. Hydrogen is required to produce both products.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-2 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 image-wide-container gradient-container-2 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-3\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-headline cbp-1692806485\"><div class=\"custom-si is-underline text-right\"><H3>They discussed synthetic fuel:<\/H3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p style=\"text-align: right;\">The former president Martin Hug (right) and the new president Markus Moser (left) with engineer Mario Illien (middle).<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-3 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_5_6 5_6 fusion-five-sixth fusion-column-last gradient-column-4\" style=\"width:83.333333333333%;width:calc(83.333333333333% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.83333333333333 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-qcustomelement- cbp-842603861\"><div class=\"custom-si-image \"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/web-GVBBGR_10_SynthetischeKraftstoffe_quer.jpg\" \/><div class=\"copyright\">\u00a9 BBGR<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-4 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 gradient-container-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-5\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-5 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-6\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h3>Lack of economic viability and engine technology<\/h3>\n<p>The authors of the study for the pilot plant of GEVAG place the greatest question mark on the economic viability of the project. The electricity demand of the pioneer plant (for producing the necessary fuel amount for all piste machines in Graub\u00fcnden) could only be covered 29 percent by GEVAG\u2019s own electricity.<\/p>\n<p>Even with subsidized investments and free summer electricity, no economic scenario would emerge. The produced methanol would be 3.6 to 6.8 times more expensive than conventional diesel.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, significant developments in engine technology are still required for the use of methanol in commercial vehicle engines. This implies the use of methanol in the transport sector, such as for trucks.<\/p>\n<h3>Piste machines only a niche in engine development<\/h3>\n<p>According to <strong>Marcus Gschwend<\/strong>, managing director of BBGR, piste machines are a niche product that hardly influences engine development. He also pointed out that the Graub\u00fcnden mountain railways have already committed to reducing CO2 emissions for their own benefit.<\/p>\n<p>As examples, he mentioned the production of renewable energy, as well as the optimization of consumption in transport systems, snowmaking, and building operations. Furthermore, a large part of the Graub\u00fcnden mountain railways uses electricity from hydropower.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-6 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 image-wide-container gradient-container-4 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-7\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-headline cbp-1969059939\"><div class=\"custom-si is-underline text-right\"><H3>They presented the study about methanol:<\/H3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p style=\"text-align: right;\">Study author Thomas G\u00e4umann, project manager at TBF + Partner AG, Zurich (middle), Stefan Illien, managing director of Energie Wasser Chur (left), and J\u00fcrg Kappeler, chairman of the board of GEVAG (right).<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-7 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_5_6 5_6 fusion-five-sixth fusion-column-last gradient-column-8\" style=\"width:83.333333333333%;width:calc(83.333333333333% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.83333333333333 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"cbp-qcustomelement- cbp-2092283915\"><div class=\"custom-si-image \"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/web-GVBBGR_08_Studie_quer.jpg\" \/><div class=\"copyright\">\u00a9 BBGR<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-8 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 gradient-container-5 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#e2e2e2;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first gradient-column-9\" style=\"width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 20px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-9 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last gradient-column-10\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 20px ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><h3>Vision of a pilot plant<\/h3>\n<p>Switzerland aims to no longer emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 2050, as much as can be captured by natural and technical storage (Net Zero goal). A 50 percent reduction is targeted by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>For this reason, GEVAG must remove CO2 from the raw gas &#8211; either by transporting it to foreign storage sites or by substituting fossil energy sources.<\/p>\n<p>According to<strong> J\u00fcrg Kappeler<\/strong>, chairman of the board of GEVAG, the company is pursuing the vision of a pilot plant that would achieve a price of 2.60 Swiss francs per liter for a diesel substitute. GEVAG is relying on inexpensive electricity from the nearby planned Chlus power plant by Repower, as well as funding contributions, for example, from the Green Deal Graub\u00fcnden (AGD) action plan.<\/p>\n<h3>Is a breakthrough possible with methanol?<\/h3>\n<p>According to engineer <strong>Enrico Feurer<\/strong>, energy advisor to the Graub\u00fcnden mountain railways, the implementation of the methanol project is currently not recommended from the perspective of the mountain railway companies due to the combination of immature technology and very high costs.<\/p>\n<p>This could change if a technological breakthrough in methanol engines occurs or if electricity prices drop significantly. However, the signs currently point in a different direction.<\/p>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-builder-row .fusion-layout-column.gradient-column-10 .fusion-column-wrapper:before {content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;z-index:-1;background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, right top, from(), to())!important;background: -webkit-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -moz-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -ms-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;background: -o-linear-gradient(0deg, , )!important;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Methanol or plant oil for snow groomers? The Grisons mountain railways (Switzerland) wanted to find out through a study which fuel really makes sense\u2014and whether in-house production would be possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":73647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[181,176],"tags":[241],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81857"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81857"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81859,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81857\/revisions\/81859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simagazin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}