2008 Environment Award Laureate
Vereinigte Werkstätten für Pflanzenöltechnologie (VWP)
| Laureate Country: Germany |
| Project Countries: Galapagos, Germany, Ecuador |
| Website: http://www.vwp-europe.com |
| Video: 2008videos/Vereinigte_Werkstaetten.mov |
Vereinigte Werkstätten für Pflanzenöltechnologie modified diesel technology to create engines that run on pure plant oil.
Burning finite fossil fuels is harming our environment. Alternatives, such as biofuel, combine fossil fuel with plant ingredients, so they still depend on oil, while also consuming the crops people need for food.
VWP modified diesel engines so cars, trucks, tractors, and generators can be run on pure plant oil. The oil is easily extracted from plants with little energy expenditure. The process also yields useful byproducts, including a high-protein food as well as straw that can be used to enrich the soil. Pure plant oil engines create lower emissions than diesel and biodiesel. And, unlike fossil fuels, a plant oil spill is completely safe for the environment.
