Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) has teamed up with Cefla, a renowned Italian civil and industrial engineering company, to advance its sustainability goals. Cefla will produce the majority of VCARB’s Faenza facility’s electricity and heating needs in-house while maintaining net-zero emissions. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in VCARB’s journey toward carbon neutrality, aligning with the broader commitments of Red Bull GmbH and Formula One.
Cefla, a company based in nearby Imola with over 90 years of expertise, is a leader in its field. The joint initiative involves the installation of a NOVA Solid Oxide fuel cell at the Faenza factory. This innovative fuel cell technology operates on sustainable fuel and utilizes a chemical process free from pollutants and noise emissions while eliminating the need for water usage. The fuel cell generates electricity and recovers heat energy to contribute to heating the facility. Compared to traditional methods, this technology delivers 20% higher electrical efficiency, and its use of certified sustainable fuel ensures net-zero CO2 emissions.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the NOVA fuel cell will complement the factory’s existing photovoltaic plant, enabling the VCARB facility to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability in electricity and heating.
“Having become operational in 2015, our Faenza factory is relatively new and was designed with best practices for sustainable building in mind,” stated Enrico Fastelli, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Facility Management & HSE Director. “Energy-saving measures were a priority during construction, including high-performance insulation, low-energy lighting, and efficient heating and cooling systems. Since then, we have intensified our focus on sustainability, installing photovoltaic plants, eliminating single-use plastics, and promoting alternative transportation methods such as bicycles and public transport for our staff. This partnership with Cefla marks a transformative step forward, allowing us to cover nearly 80% of our energy needs sustainably and on-site.”
Mario Gargano, Sales Director of Cefla’s Energy Business Line, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We have been working closely with VCARB to produce sustainable electricity in the most efficient way possible. The NOVA by Cefla technology embodies our Group’s commitment to delivering heightened efficiency and sustainability for our clients. It is an honour to contribute to the goals of a company like Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, with whom we share a geographical connection and a shared vision for innovation and a sustainable future. This project exemplifies our mutual commitment to progress.”
The combination of advanced fuel cell technology and the already-installed photovoltaic systems underscores VCARB’s dedication to pioneering sustainable practices in motorsport. This initiative reflects the team’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and sets a benchmark for integrating cutting-edge technology into sustainable facility management.
