In connection with the threat of stopping gas supplies from Russia, the Volkswagen concern will modernize the power supply system of the largest European plant in Wolfsburg. This was stated by the head of the concern, Herbert Diess, according to Automotive News Europe. The company had previously planned to convert the power plant, which produces electricity, entirely to natural gas in order to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
However, in the face of uncertainty about the supply of more “blue fuel”, Volkswagen will have to continue working on coal for a longer period of time.
“Recognizing the situation, we decided to replace our coal-fired power stations so that coal or gas can still be used.”
– excerpts the words of the publication from a statement by Diss.
According to him, the most energy consuming sector in the head office in Wolfsburg is the paint sector. At the same time, enterprises producing Volkswagen cars and other brands belonging to the concern receive gas from Germany’s combined gas transmission network.
The Bavarian administration said yesterday that BMW is closely monitoring the unstable situation regarding gas supply and developments, and that the leadership of the car company is in dialogue with the German authorities. The company states that in the long term, the price risks of gas and electricity are insured by various mechanisms. Same time
The most energy efficient BMW plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, generates electricity from alternative sources (solar panels) with only 30% of its capacity,
According to Reuters’ analytical report.
Mercedes-Benz plants use, among other things, gaseous fuels to maintain the operating temperature in the paint shop. The company’s president, Ola Kallenius, said Mercedes-Benz was considering possible options if gas supplies were to be stopped.
“Every company is looking for options to diversify their energy sources. It is too early to say exactly which scenario is being implemented, but of course we are monitoring the situation closely,” he said.
Mercedes-Benz has planned to supply 70% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030. According to the calculations of the agency’s analysts, their share is currently only 45-50%.
Mercedes-Benz recognizes that gasoline plays a crucial role in the automotive industry:
It is used both for heating production workshops and for providing production processes. The agency said that only 20 percent of the electronics and automotive components maker Bosch’s energy needs depend on gas fuel, but above all it is essential for the production of semiconductors, which are still in shortage in the global automotive industry.
According to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP, an international organization that studies environmental impacts),
Volkswagen was 80% dependent on non-renewable energy sources at the end of 2020, BMW – 60%.
Overall, more than half of the energy consumption in the automotive industry comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Most are natural gas.
If the Russian gas supply is stopped, it will not be possible to quickly find an alternative to meet the electricity and heat needs of the German automotive industry, independent automotive industry consultant Sergei Burgazliev is sure.
“Most likely, automobile production will not stop completely, but the manufacturing operations themselves, primarily welding and painting, will increase significantly in price.
Also, a reduction in production volumes is possible in conditions of electricity shortages. Burgazliev tells socialbites.ca: Such scenarios are very likely.
He added that welding production is the most costly in terms of electricity consumption in automotive factories, and gas consumption for heating purposes in paint shops is important. At the same time, it will take at least a year to replace pipeline gas supplies with liquefied gas, as it requires the construction of appropriate infrastructure.
“Of course, car factories consume huge amounts of electricity and heat in winter. First of all, they need gas in terms of electricity generation. It is also used in paint production, but to a much lesser extent,” Burgazliev concluded.