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CO2 Based Biofuel Tech Moves Forward
Researchers are a step closer to developing a carbon dioxide-based fuel using microorganisms, according to DNV Research & Innovation, a division of Det Norske Veritas.
The organisation is working with biotechnology company Ginko Bioworks to develop a biofuel using microorganisms to transform electrolytically-derived formate into liquid fuels.
Unlike other biofuels that depend on plants or algae, DNV said this method does not require photosynthesis and is more efficient.
The method can use electricity produced from a variety of renewable sources to produce the formate, allowing for flexibility in the location of an electrofuel facility.
"The development of the electrofuels technology is an important advance in the utilization and recycling of CO2 providing a pathway for sustainability and self-sufficiency" says Narasi Sridhar, program director at DNV Research & Innovation.
Algae-based biofuels have been shown to reduce ship emissions by 25 percent, but a RAND Corporation report in June said such fuels won't be able to compete with petroleum products on price without a "major technical breakthrough."
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