Olive pit-based biofuel is powering a vintage steam train in southern France, carrying tourists through the natural parks and the charming hills and villages of Provence, the heart of wine and olive oil production in the country.
For decades, the Train Des Pignes à Vapeur had left behind a trail of dark grey smoke from its coal-fired engines.
As the end of the 2022 tourism season approached, the cultural association that runs the train announced that its 44.5‑ton locomotive is now powered by olive-derived biofuel.
See Also:Farmers in France Confirm Grim Predictions as Harvest Gets UnderwayAccording to the study group for the Provence Railway Association (GECP), the current engine still requires some coal to function properly. Still, it mainly runs on olive pits shaped into large cylindrical “logs.”
One ton of coal can be replaced by 700 kilograms of olive-derived fuel and 500 kilograms of coal. While the solution does not only make running the train cheaper, it is also more environmentally friendly.
The GECP said they decided to make this change both to become more environmentally friendly and because coal was becoming increasingly difficult to find.
“Since ancient times, our mills in Provence have used olive pomace for indoor heating,” Guy Mausy, an engineer at the GECP, told La Provence. “Still, this fuel came in powder form, while we require larger pellets.”
The GECP said they got the idea from a local affiliate in Tunisia, which used the olive pit “logs” to operate furnaces.
A 2021 study in Spain has demonstrated the considerable potential of fuel derived from olive pits.
The researchers found that olive pit-based biofuel contains up to 4,500 calories per gram and is anywhere from 70 to 100 percent cheaper than gasoline or diesel.
Furthermore, its emissions are also relatively low, with fewer impurities than other types of biofuel since olive pits contain less moisture by the end of the milling process.
Related Articles
Apr. 16, 2024
Tuscan Producer Adapts to a Changing Olive Oil Landscape
Fattoria di Volmiano embraces new ways to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Oct. 18, 2024
Team Lithuania Triumphs at Seventh Olive Picking Championship
In addition to the competitive part of the program, numerous tastings, excursions and social events were held in Brač, which boasts a centuries-old olive oil-producing tradition.
Dec. 3, 2023
2023 Is the Hottest Year on Record; 2024 Will Likely Be Hotter
The average global temperature in 2023 was 1.40 ºC above the pre-industrial average, with many olive-growing regions bearing the brunt of extreme heat.
Jul. 24, 2024
New Process Increases Sustainability, Phenolic Profile of Olive Leaf Extracts
A novel approach does not use harmful chemicals and creates an extract with potential uses in olive oil production and food packaging.
Nov. 7, 2024
Meet the Retailers Working to Grow Oleotourism Sales After the Vacation Ends
Alicia and Vijay Shroff, co-owners of an olive oil specialty store, have launched a project to deepen the connection between oleotourism operators and visitors.
Feb. 26, 2024
New Law in Italy Establishes Role of Farmers in Protecting Environment
Along with protecting Italy’s natural landscapes and promoting the cultivation of traditional crops, the law seeks to curb the rural exodus with economic incentives.
Nov. 12, 2024
Olive Leaf Moth Threatens Brazilian Crops: Researchers Seek Solutions
Brazilian researchers have discovered a dual solution to combat the olive leaf moth: a new eco-friendly insecticide and the strategic use of local wasp species as natural predators.
Jul. 8, 2024
Bricks Made with Olive Pits Reduce Carbon Footprint of Buildings, Study Finds
A new study has shown that olive pit waste can effectively reduce energy usage in buildings, demonstrating how the circular economy can be applied to the construction sector.