Chevron And UC Davis To Pursue Joint Research Into Next-Generation Biofuels
San Ramon, CA - Chevron Corporation and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) have formed a strategic research collaboration to pursue advanced technology aimed at converting cellulosic biomass into transportation fuels. The joint research effort will coordinate with the California Biomass Collaborative to focus on renewable feedstocks available in California, including agricultural waste such as rice straw.
The objective of the Chevron-UC Davis research is to develop commercially viable processes for the production of transportation fuels from renewable resources such as new energy crops, forest and agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste. The collaboration calls for research in biochemical and thermochemical conversion, as well as a demonstration facility to test the commercial readiness of these technologies.Chevron and UC Davis formed the collaboration because their research and development goals related to emerging energy technologies are closely aligned.
The collaboration is expected to focus its research on four areas:
- understanding the characteristics of current California biofuel feedstocks;
- developing additional feedstocks optimized for features such as drought tolerance, minimal land requirements and harvesting technology;
- production of cellulosic biofuels;
- design and construction of a demonstration facility for biochemical and thermochemical production processes.
The alliance with UC Davis is the second biofuels research partnership launched by Chevron this year. In June, Chevron and the Georgia Institute of Technology formed a strategic research alliance focusing on cellulosic biofuels and hydrogen. Chevron is believed to be investing in conventional biofuels. Chevron is also to believed to have formed a biofuels business unit to advance technology and pursue commercial opportunities related to the production and distribution of biofuels in the United States. The company has invested in a new biodiesel facility in Galveston, TX, that aims to produce diesel fuel from soybeans and other renewable feedstocks. Chevron is also believed to be investing across the energy spectrum to explore development of energy sources for future generations by expanding the capabilities of today's alternative and renewable energy technologies. Since 2000, Chevron Corporation, through its various subsidiaries, claims to have spent more than $1.5B on renewable energy projects and on delivering energy efficiency solutions. Focus areas include geothermal, hydrogen, biofuels and advanced batteries as well as wind and solar technologies.
SOURCE: Chevron Corporation and the University of California, Davis