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Joule adds another $40M, but its clean biofuels promise still lags - moving from lab to commercial
.. reality is not an easy climb.. (but nothing is achieved without persistence)..
Joule Unlimited caught a lot of interest several years ago (MIT: Joule Unlimited, one of Fifty Disruptive Companies) when they announced they had a genetically engineered microbe that could produce fuel when 'fed' CO2 and sunlight. But going from laboratory to commercial success takes time. (also: http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2015/02/03/joule-unlimited-biofuels-digests-2015-5-minute-guide/)
http://www.betaboston.com/news/2015/05/11/joule-adds-another-40m-but-its-clean-biofuels-promise-still-lags/?p1=trending
Joule Unlimited is one of those clean-energy companies that sounds like it’s on the verge of changing the world: its genetically engineered bacteria can produce ethanol or diesel from nothing more than sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Getting that idea from lab experiment to full-scale factory, however, has not been easy.
Bedford, MA-based Joule has raised some $200 million in private investment since the company was founded in 2007, including a new round of $40 million disclosed Monday led by its primary financial backer, Cambridge-based Flagship Ventures.
It’s sealed a partnership deal with Audi, which has tested Joule’s fuels for possible use in cleaner-burning cars.
(more)
80% CO2 REDUCTION TARGETED BY JOINT AUDI-JOULE FUEL PROGRAM
by Bob Brooks, member SAE
It was announced in September 2012 that Audi and Joule Unlimited had formed a joint effort to commercialize Joule’s unique synthetic diesel & ethanol fuel technology based on microorganisms (www.jouleunlimited.com). Initial production at scale is expected to start at a new plant in Hobbs, New Mexico, engineered and constructed by the Fluor Corporation. In an attempt to best understand Audi’s position in the program, AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES submitted written questions to Audi for which answers, below, were provided by Reiner Mangold, head of environmental product at AUDI AG.
Q. What is Audi’s principal interest in Joule diesel or other fuels?
A. Diesel fuel is the primary focus for Audi support. Audi, with TDI technology, is a world leader in efficient, yet powerful diesels for passenger vehicles. Through its knowledge of diesel fuel and engine combustion processes, Audi helps to design the perfect synthetic fuel for vehicles. Aside from diesel fuel, ethanol production will come first. Following ethanol, Joule diesel fuel is the primary focus of Audi support. We expect Joule’s diesel fuel will provide CO2 reduction of 80% compared with fossil diesel fuel if the overall diesel fuel production system is taken into consideration. We expect to find a beauty of Joule diesel fuel to be blending with (conventional) diesel fuel at any percentage including neat fuel. Joule diesel sources or precious potable water.
Q. How will Audi help advance production and availability of Joule fuel?
A. Audi’s world leadership position and knowledge of motor fuel, combustion systems and experience with powerful, efficient engines will contribute to advancing Joule’s fuels (both diesel and ethanol).
(more)
It was announced in September 2012 that Audi and Joule Unlimited had formed a joint effort to commercialize Joule’s unique synthetic diesel & ethanol fuel technology based on microorganisms (www.jouleunlimited.com). Initial production at scale is expected to start at a new plant in Hobbs, New Mexico, engineered and constructed by the Fluor Corporation. In an attempt to best understand Audi’s position in the program, AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES submitted written questions to Audi for which answers, below, were provided by Reiner Mangold, head of environmental product at AUDI AG.
Q. What is Audi’s principal interest in Joule diesel or other fuels?
A. Diesel fuel is the primary focus for Audi support. Audi, with TDI technology, is a world leader in efficient, yet powerful diesels for passenger vehicles. Through its knowledge of diesel fuel and engine combustion processes, Audi helps to design the perfect synthetic fuel for vehicles. Aside from diesel fuel, ethanol production will come first. Following ethanol, Joule diesel fuel is the primary focus of Audi support. We expect Joule’s diesel fuel will provide CO2 reduction of 80% compared with fossil diesel fuel if the overall diesel fuel production system is taken into consideration. We expect to find a beauty of Joule diesel fuel to be blending with (conventional) diesel fuel at any percentage including neat fuel. Joule diesel sources or precious potable water.
Q. How will Audi help advance production and availability of Joule fuel?
A. Audi’s world leadership position and knowledge of motor fuel, combustion systems and experience with powerful, efficient engines will contribute to advancing Joule’s fuels (both diesel and ethanol).
(more)
- See more at: http://www.ai-online.com/Adv/Previous/show_issue.php?id=5228#sthash.O3lJfF8j.dpuf
