U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday unveiled $118 million in funding to 17 sustainable biofuels projects taking place at universities and private companies.
According to DOE’s press release, the selected projects—with funding ranging from $500,000 to $80 million—will contribute to the department’s goal for cost-competitive biofuels and at least a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
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“DOE investments are helping to build out a domestic bioenergy supply chain that increases America’s energy independence, creates jobs, and accelerates the adoption of cleaner fuels for our transportation needs,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
Some of the projects include:
• Lincolnway Energy LLC, Nevada, IA: $453,000 for reduced carbon intensity ethanol through biogas from stillage and other feedstocks.
• Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC: $2,000,000 to turn corn stover into sustainable aviation fuel.
• AVAPCO, LLC, Thomaston, GA: $80,000,000 for Phase 2 of a biorefinery to achieve net zero aviation emissions through biofuel.
Industry responds
Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO, applauded DOE’s biofuel effort.
“The funds awarded today by the DOE will undoubtedly accelerate the innovations taking place at U.S. ethanol plants, opening new opportunities for low-cost, low-carbon energy,” she said.
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Skor says Growth Energy is most “excited” for Marquis, Inc.’s project, now harnessed with $8 million additional funds, which seeks to combines CO2 with low-carbon hydrogen to create a new production stream of extra-low-carbon ethanol.
According to Marquis, Inc., the resulting extra-low-carbon, produced in Illinois, will increase ethanol’s yield by 50% without additional land or fertilizers. The company also says the product will cut emissions by 70% or more, compared to petroleum-based alternatives.
