RTI International was recently awarded a $3.1 million contract from the Department of Energy to develop a biomass fuel that could serve as a replacement for petroleum in the existing fuel infrastructure.

 

"This project will help address our nation’s energy challenges by developing a one-step process to convert biomass materials into usable fuels," said David Dayton, PhD, director of biofuels research at RTI International.

 

According to RTI, the technology has the potential to reduce the demand for imported petroleum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel with domestically produced biofuels.

 

RTI's project is one of 37 that received funding to study alternative energy sources. The selected projects span the energy sector, including potentially transformative innovations in energy storage, biofuels, carbon capture, renewable power, building efficiency, vehicles, and other energy technology areas.

 

The funding is being awarded through the Department of Energy's recently-formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. This is the first round of projects funded under ARPA-E, which is receiving a total of $400 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

 

RTI's partners on this project include Archer Daniels Midland Company, ConocoPhillips, and Albermarle Corp.