Negative Carbon Gasoline to be Road Tested by CoolPlanet Biofuels
After a recent announcement of more financial backing from investors, CoolPlanet Biofuels has now received approval to road test its negative carbon gasoline in California.
The approval comes from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and allows CoolPlanet to fleet test its unique negative carbon biofuels which are produced by converting low-grade biomass -- such as grass and woodchips -- into high grade fuel.
What makes CoolPlanet's biofuel unique is the negative carbon byproduct that comes from the process of conversion. The byproduct can be used to sequester carbon and act as a soil conditioner. Even better, the manufacturing plants are designed to be modular and easily relocated to areas of need.
The first fleet test will involve blending this negative carbon blendstock with California's standard E-10 gasoline to help meet California's 2020 goal of 10% emissions reduction. A process of compatibility since CoolPlanet's fuel is chemically identical to traditional gasoline and can be used in any gasoline-fueled automobile.
Dean Simeroth, one of the co-authors and former chief of the CARB branch responsible for the development of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, says: "CoolPlanet's cellulosic-based renewable gasoline is the first such technology to be granted CARB approval for fleet testing."
CoolPlanet has the capability to produce over one million gallons of 2020 low carbon gasoline this year, and projects ramping to a billion gallons by 2015 and significantly higher volumes by 2018. A venture made possible with its considerable backing from the likes of BP, Google Ventures, ConocoPhillips, and NRG Energy.
CoolPlanet's objective is to have enough blendstock available to meet California's 2010 goals by as early as 2016.
Harry Tournemille has been covering renewable energy and cleantech sectors for Energy Boom for almost two years. With a focus on solar, wave, and biofuel energies, Harry looks to find real-life applications for the host of information being put out on a daily basis.
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