Another Day, Another Humungous Renewable Funding Announcement from DOE

Recovery Act Announcement: DOE Announces Recovery Act Funding of up to $85 million for Algal and Advanced Biofuels

For big fans of renewable energy like me, these are just halyon days, indeed. Hardly have I finished reading that wind is to get a huge jolt from the new DOE, but today, even more huge funding is announced for biofuels development.

It’s almost enough to make you think that maybe we are not too stupid to survive, after all! Yay, us!

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $85 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop algae-based biofuels and advanced (yet infrastructure-compatible) biofuels.

DOE press release for the details:

• » See also: Scientists Researching How Plants Can Make Petroleum
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“The DOE is seeking to bring together leading scientists and engineers from universities, private industry, and government to develop new methods to bring new biofuels to market in an accelerated timeframe.

The partnerships will enable cross-fertilization between multiple disciplines and provide the breadth of expertise necessary to develop new technologies advanced biofuels that can be used in today’s fueling infrastructure such as green aviation fuels, green gasoline, and green diesel‬‪ from a variety of biomass feedstocks.

Partnerships may include leading scientists and engineers from universities, private industry, and government, and engage end users and other field experts such as utility specialists and aquaculturists. Effective collaborations will target an accelerated timeframe to bring new biofuels to market.

DOE expects to select two to three partnerships and fund projects over three years. Today’s Funding Opportunity Announcement targets two crucial areas:

• Algal Biofuels R&D - The primary objective of this topic area is to develop cost-effective algae-based biofuels that are competitive with traditional petroleum-based fuels.
• Advanced, Infrastructure-Compatible Biofuels R&D is focused on enabling cost-effective conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels other than cellulosic ethanol, with particular focus on bio-based hydrocarbon fuels such as green gasoline and green diesel. Such fuels could be transported and sold using today’s existing fueling infrastructure.”
  

News via the DOE
Image from Flikr user lovelydead

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