German cooperation supports Federal University of Goiás with funds for new plant
The German-Brazilian Cooperation for Sustainable Development, through GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), and the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), with the support of RTVE Foundation (Educational and Cultural Radio and Television Foundation, in Portuguese), started a partnership that will boost the production of Sustainable Fuel in Brazil. Using green hydrogen and syngas (also known as synthesis gas), input that will be generated by the transformation of organic waste into gas, it will develop synthetic crude that allows the production of sustainable fuels, also for aviation. From the construction of this pilot plant, studies will be conducted in the Centre-West of the country on alternative fuels aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
The resources from the partnership will be managed by RTVE Foundation, an entity that supports UFG. “Through this project, the University will receive the most modern equipment for research into renewable fuels,” says Professor Silvana Coleta, executive director of the RTVE Foundation.
This partnership is part of the efforts undertaken by the governments of Germany and Brazil in the production of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Two GIZ projects worked together to make it a reality: H2Brasil, in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and ProQR, coordinated jointly with the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI). The projects are funded by the German Ministries for the Environment (BMUV) and for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
UFG: Teaching and Research Pole on SAF in the Brazilian Centre-West
One of the expected impacts of the partnership is the exchange and dissemination of knowledge related to the decarbonisation of the industry, with emphasis on the generation of alternative fuels without climate impacts in the air transport sector. Over two years, UFG will have an investment of 760,000 euros to promote experimental studies and scientific research.
The investment will also be applied to improve the research infrastructure of the institution in Goiânia, with the installation of equipment and scientific resources, and the training of multipliers. It is also planned to carry out analyses and simulate processes on the conversion into green hydrogen of surpluses generated by agriculture and industry.
“The grant will promote regional technological development, adding value to local renewable resources – since the state of Goiás has one of its strengths in agriculture and intends to make a sustainable management of waste. The project also strengthens the training of human resources in topics of great interest today, such as CO2 capture, the production of renewable green H2 and the conversion of both with the main objective of obtaining crude oil and the final production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).”
H2Brasil project director Dr. Markus Francke
H2V and German Cooperation
The Brazil-Germany Cooperation for Sustainable Development has been working for decades in the areas of sustainable energy and energy efficiency. More recently, it has been supporting the improvement of legal, institutional and technological conditions for the expansion of the green hydrogen (GH2) market and its derivatives in the country. In the coming years, with the support of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI), actions will be implemented for the construction of laboratories, development of new technologies, promotion of the development and financing of innovative ideas and technological projects, laboratory construction, studies, professional education and training in the area of green hydrogen.
