Chevron takes biofuel research to the next level
SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Chevron Corp. and the Georgia Institute of Technology have formed a strategic research alliance to pursue advanced technology aimed at making cellulosic biofuels and hydrogen viable transportation fuels for the transportation-trucking industry. The focus of the multi-million dollar joint research is to develop commercially viable processes for the production of transportation fuels from renewable resources such as forest and agricultural waste. This is viewed as an important advancement over first-generation biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are made from agricultural crops such as corn, sugarcane and soybeans. "This research alliance underscores Chevron's commitment to expand and diversify the world's energy sources and represents an ambitious effort to achieve breakthrough technology in the development of cellulosic biofuels," said Don Paul, vice-president and chief technology officer said in a press release. Chevron Technology Ventures says it expects to spend approximately $400 million in 2006 for the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies and in delivering energy efficiency solutions. "Once developed, second-generation processing technology will allow waste products to be converted into renewable transportation fuels, opening the door to a new phase in alternative energy," added Rick Zalesky, vice-president of Biofuels and Hydrogen. The alliance will focus its research on four areas: production of cellulosic biofuels, understanding the characteristics of biofuel feedstocks, developing regenerative sorbents and improving sorbents used to produce high-purity hydrogen. In a related project, researchers are working to develop sorbents for the purification of hydrogen produced from natural gas reforming. Both hydrogen performance and vehicle performance increase with sorbent performance, leading to greater overall energy efficiency. In addition, Chevron is making significant investments in conventional biofuels. The company recently formed a biofuels business unit to advance technology and pursue commercial opportunities related to the production and distribution of biofuels.