Ames, Iowa
April 10, 2007
ConocoPhillips will
establish an eight-year, $22.5 million research program at
Iowa State University
dedicated to developing technologies that produce biorenewable
fuels. The grant is part of ConocoPhillips' plan to create joint
research programs with major universities to produce viable
solutions to diversify America's energy sources.
ConocoPhillips will make an initial $1.5 million grant in 2007
to support Iowa State researchers, with additional grants of $3
million per year for seven years.
Biorenewable fuels are produced from organic materials and help
reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while diversifying
the energy supply. Conventional biorenewable fuels include
ethanol from corn starch and biodiesel from soybean oil.
Advanced biofuels are expected to be made from fibrous biomass
such as the stalks and leaves from corn plants and switchgrass.
"I'm pleased Iowa State University and ConocoPhillips will
partner to research and develop new technologies for producing
biofuels," said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. "These kind of
public-private partnerships are an important part of my plan to
fuel Iowa's future. Private sector investments will be the
driving force behind the development of new industries and
technologies, and I'm encouraged that Iowa State and
ConocoPhillips are working together to create the right research
programs for our state's energy future."
"We believe the key to a secure energy future is the efficient
and effective use of a diverse mix of energy sources," said Jim
Mulva, chairman and chief executive officer of ConocoPhillips.
"ConocoPhillips is developing long-term relationships with
respected academic institutions such as Iowa State to research
extensions of traditional energy sources that ultimately will
benefit consumers."
"We are excited to work with ConocoPhillips to develop a
research program that applies Iowa State University's strengths
in renewable energy," said Iowa State President Gregory
Geoffroy. "The emerging consensus is that a very big part of
increasing the nation's energy security will be producing fuels
from plants. Iowa State scientists and engineers are well
positioned to put science to work advancing biofuels
technologies."
Robert C. Brown, the Iowa Farm Bureau Director of Iowa State's
Office of Biorenewables Programs, said ConocoPhillips is
especially interested in converting biomass to fuel through fast
pyrolysis, a process that uses heat in the absence of oxygen to
decompose biomass into a liquid product. This so-called bio-oil
can be used as a heating oil or can be converted into
transportation fuel at petroleum refineries.
Brown said ConocoPhillips will also sponsor studies of other
thermochemical technologies that produce biofuels.
ConocoPhillips will fund research to understand and support
environmental sustainability and rural economies. Studies will
emphasize crop improvement and production, the harvesting and
transportation of biomass and the impacts of biofuels on
economic policy and rural sociology.
According to Brown, the details of specific projects have yet to
be determined. He estimated the company's research program will
involve 10 faculty members plus graduate students in the first
year with additional researchers added in subsequent years. He
noted that ConocoPhillips officials turned to Iowa State as a
research partner, in part, because of Iowa State's expertise in
a wide range of biorenewable technologies.
Iowa State's Office of Biorenewables Programs, for example,
includes 145 faculty members with ties to 18 academic
departments and 19 research centers and institutes across
campus. Those researchers have attracted more than $57 million
in sponsored research funding since 2002. The ConocoPhillips
research program will add to that total.
"Iowa State University, with its central location in the
agricultural belt and rich traditions of research and service,
is uniquely positioned to set the standard for biorenewables
research, education and technology transfer," Geoffroy said.
"Contributing to the development of the bioeconomy is directly
in line with our mission: 'Create, share and apply knowledge to
make Iowa and the world a better place.'"
For more information on Iowa State's Bioeconomy Initiative, see
www.biorenew.iastate.edu.
ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests
around the world. |
|
