Governor Ritter Announces New Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels
Colorado State University continued its investment in global renewable energy solutions with Monday's announcement of the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2).C2B2, announced at the state Capitol with the endorsement of Gov. Bill Ritter and members of Colorado's congressional delegation, is a research venture between large and small businesses and the newly formed Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. The Collaboratory is an association of four of Colorado's premier research institutions - Colorado State, the Colorado School of Mines, the University of Colorado at Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
The College of Engineering at Colorado State University is taking a lead role in the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, and C2B2 is the first project to be launched this year by the CREB.
The announcement comes less than a month after the institutions signed the Collaboratory agreement stating they would work together to promote and develop renewable energy solutions, helping to position the state of Colorado as a worldwide leader in the area of clean energy.
"Colorado State University is committed to developing and disseminating environmentally responsible solutions to meet U.S. energy needs while reducing our impact on the planet and dependence on oil," said Bill Farland, Vice President for Research at Colorado State. "Whether it's crop engineering or researching mass production of algae to oil, Colorado State brings unique strengths and resources to its partners in the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels."
Ken Reardon, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and C2B2 Site Director at Colorado State, spoke at Monday's event.
"Colorado State, with its land-grant heritage, is well poised to contribute enormous expertise in all aspects of crop sciences and plant biotechnology, which will be critical for the development of the biofuels industry," Reardon said. "In addition, Colorado State brings excellence in engineering, ecology, and many other disciplines. More than 60 faculty members at Colorado State are eager to help industry find solutions in all areas of biofuels and biorefining research and development - from crops to engines."
C2B2 faculty, staff, and students will perform world-class research to develop new biofuels and biorefining technologies and transfer these advances as rapidly as possible to the private sector. C2B2 will work to create new technologies for the production of transportation fuels and other valuable products from plants. In addition to transportation fuels, biorefining promises to create new sources of agricultural fertilizers, synthetic fibers for clothing and other uses, plastics and commercial chemicals. Because these materials are now derived from petroleum and natural gas, biorefining will reduce U.S. dependence on oil and gas; provide alternative, domestic sources of energy and commercial products; and reduce green house gas emissions, helping to reduce global warming.
Companies participate in C2B2 as a sponsor by paying a membership fee. These fees will fund shared research, and sponsors will have the opportunity to participate in the discoveries and patents generated by the shared research, with the goal of commercializing the new technologies as soon as possible. Sponsors may also enter into individual agreements to fund proprietary research through C2B2. The research projects of C2B2 will also create educational opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students, serving to train the next generation of chemical and biological engineers for universities and private enterprise.
Professor Wade Troxell, Institutional Coordinator at Colorado State for the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, attended the ceremony. Troxell is Associate Dean for Research and Economic Development in the College of Engineering. Also endorsing C2B2 are U.S. Sens. Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard and U.S. Reps. Mark Udall and Ed Perlmutter.