German pilot plant blends green, fossil fuels and tracks CO2 savings

A pilot plant in Mannheim, Germany, has been developed to flexibly blend electricity-based (e-fuels), biogenic, and fossil fuels while digitally tracking the CO₂ savings for each fuel delivery. Supported scientifically by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the plant enables precise inline mixing of renewable and fossil fuel components, allowing for transparent and immediate documentation of the climate impact. This innovation is seen as a crucial step toward scaling up the use of reFuels—renewable fuels produced from agricultural and forestry residues, waste, CO₂, and sustainably generated hydrogen—which have the same energy density as fossil fuels and are vital for sectors of transportation that cannot be fully electrified. Equipped with advanced sensors and software, the pilot plant connects to three storage tanks containing different fuel types and calculates greenhouse gas savings compared to purely fossil fuels. This data is recorded in official reports, helping companies demonstrate carbon footprint improvements and comply with legal requirements. The project aims to promote regional fuel production, enhance supply security, and