The ability to power your current automobile with biofuel could be in the near future.
On August 31st, the U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a comprehensive plan in which $12 million would be allocated to three small-scale green energy projects in Wisconsin, Illinois, and North Carolina. The goal will be to enhance and commercialize the technologies necessary to advance the development of drop-in biofuels and decrease production costs. The plan comes on the heels of the Obama Administration’s effort to make the United States more energy independent and to increase its energy security for the future.
Drop-in biofuels are of particular interest because of their ability to be used successfully with existing engine and fuel network technologies, acting as direct substitutes for gasoline and other fuels.
Secretary Chu said, “Producing advanced, drop-in biofuels in the U.S. will reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and support development of a new industry that will create jobs in rural communities across the country… these investments aim to accelerate the discovery of innovative solutions that could drive down the cost of biofuels production and boost their availability in the marketplace.”
Virent Energy Systems, Inc of Madison, Wisconsin, LanzaTech of Roselle, Illinois and The Triangle Institute of Research based in Triangle Park, North Carolina will receive $4 million each. All projects will aim to improve the efficiency and economics of converting biomass, organic material derived from plants and animals, into drop-in biofuels to be used as replacements for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other materials.
If successful, the projects will help bring the substitutes to market for use in gasoline and diesel automobiles. A switch to drop-in biofuels would mean less carbon dioxide emissions and better fuel economy for your car. With reduced production costs, that could mean more money in your pocket.
Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.