Source: US DEPT. OF ENERGY, 8/2/16

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the funding of three projects for up to $11.3 million under the MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts To Enable Biofuels funding opportunity. This will support the development of biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that can produce variable amounts of fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand. This funding will develop new strategies for biorefineries, resulting in long-term benefits to the United States, including chemicals and products manufacturing.
• The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Michigan) – The Dow Chemical Company, in partnership with LanzaTech and Northwestern University, will develop a process for the bioconversion of biomass-derived synthetic gas (syngas) to C6-C14 fatty alcohols as a pathway to biofuels.
• Amyris, Inc. (Emeryville, California) – Amyris, Inc., in cooperation with Renmatix and Total New Energies, will develop a manufacturing-ready process to produce farnesene, a hydrocarbon building block used in the manufacture of a variety of consumer products ranging from cosmetics to detergents, as well as in the transportation industry for diesel and jet fuel.
• Research Triangle Institute (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) – Research Triangle Institute will partner with Arkema and AECOM to investigate the technical feasibility and economic potential, as well as the environmental and sustainability benefit, of recovering mixed methoxyphenols from biocrude as building block chemicals, alongside the production of biofuels.

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates the development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Learn more about how EERE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office supports the development of a sustainable, domestic bioenergy industry.