First Vorarlberg ski resort to test environmentally friendly HVO fuel

Schruns (A). Silvretta Montafon is the first ski resort in Vorarlberg to use a new and environmentally friendly fuel to operate a snow groomer: In a test run, a PistenBully will be refuelled with HVO in future and its practical suitability evaluated. The CO2 footprint can be reduced by up to 90 per cent with HVO fuel.

Silvretta Montafon is taking various measures to make the operation of its infrastructure more sustainable step by step. From now on, this also includes the use of environmentally friendly fuels. As part of a pilot project and in cooperation with Leikermoser Energiehandel GmbH and Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, a PistenBully is being fuelled with environmentally friendly HVO fuel. In a test run, the Silvretta Montafon piste team is testing the fuel in terms of its practicality, performance and consumption. ‘We want to take responsibility, rethink old structures and deal more and more intensively with the issue of sustainability. We are therefore particularly pleased that we are now also able to test an alternative drive option for the PistenBullys. We hope that the HVO fuel will prove itself in practice,’ explains Mario Tschofen, Head of Piste Technology & Vehicle Fleet at Silvretta Montafon.

Up to 90 per cent less CO2 emissions

HVO fuel is based on hydrogenated vegetable fat waste (hydrogenated vegetable oils), which is converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen. The result is a 100 per cent fossil-free diesel product made exclusively from renewable raw materials. HVO works without any problems in all modern diesel engines, which means that it is not necessary to upgrade the snow groomers or convert the engines. ‘With HVO, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 65 to 90 per cent compared to conventional diesel. In addition, HVO fuels are said to have better combustion, filterability and excellent low-temperature properties, which is particularly advantageous for use in the snow,’ says Kilian Zinnecker, Head of the Renewable Energies Working Group at Silvretta Montafon, with conviction.

Test partnership for alternative drive technologies

The call for sustainable and affordable drive technologies is becoming ever louder in all sectors. The leaps in development in recent years have been correspondingly great. Silvretta Montafon has therefore been running an official test partnership with Kässbohrer on the subject of snow groomers with alternative drive technologies since this winter. ‘Thanks to this test partnership, we are able to try out the latest technologies with an experienced partner at our side and find the best solution for us,’ says Mario Tschofen.