Sep 21 2006
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.
Chevron Technology Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, plans to support a broad range of UC Davis scientists and engineers with funding of up to $25 million over five years for research into and development of these emerging energy technologies.
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.
"We think it's important to pursue research that could accelerate the use of biofuels since we believe they may play an integral role in diversifying the world's energy sources. Developing next-generation processing technology will help broaden the choice of feedstocks, including cellulosic materials," said Don Paul, vice president and chief technology officer, Chevron Corporation.
"Once developed, next-generation processing technology will allow locally grown biomass to be harvested, processed into transportation fuels and distributed to consumers," said Rick Zalesky, vice president of Biofuels and Hydrogen, Chevron Technology Ventures.
Chevron's interest in next-generation biofuels is a very good fit with UC Davis's expertise in alternative fuels and transportation systems, said Barry Klein, vice chancellor for research, UC Davis.
"UC Davis already has top research and teaching programs on hydrogen and biofuels, as well as electric and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, and power generation from biomass. We also have strong programs in converting food- processing wastes and agricultural residues to energy," Klein continued.
"Adding Chevron's support for biofuel studies to the picture complements our present efforts and puts us all closer to our shared goal of driving on clean, affordable energy."
Chevron and UC Davis formed the collaboration because their research and development goals related to emerging energy technologies are closely aligned.
http://www.chevron.com/ and http://www.ucdavis.edu/