Solar fuels company Joule teams with DNV GL for commercial validation of CO2-to-fuels production process
17 September 2014
Joule, the developer of a process for the solar conversion of CO2 to liquid fuels, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DNV GL, a leading provider of technical assurance and advisory services to the energy industry. The next step will be to define the specific areas of collaboration that will accelerate the global production of CO2-neutral fuels.
Through the terms of the MoU, DNV GL will provide technology qualification and verification services, including assessments from a commercial perspective to facilitate Joule’s global deployment. Joule will also benefit from advisory services in the areas of value chain creation, risk mitigation, process modeling for specific plant locations, and blending and transport of Joule’s fuel products.
Joule has pioneered a CO2-to-fuel production platform using engineered bio-catalysts continuously to convert waste CO2 directly into renewable fuels such as ethanol or hydrocarbons for diesel, jet fuel and gasoline.
In July, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) favorably reviewed Joule’s Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN) for the company’s first commercial ethanol-producing catalyst (a modified Synechococcus cyanobacterium). This cleared the catalyst for commercial use at the company’s demonstration plant in Hobbs, New Mexico. (Earlier post.)
This is the first time I ever heard of a bacterium referred to as a catalyst. Technically true, but awkward to the ear. Is my small intestine a catalyst too?
Posted by: kalendjay | 18 September 2014 at 03:04 PM