C2B2 Launches Initiative for New Biofuel Technology
Fort Collins Coloradoan
Sunday, September 16, 2007
By Jason Kosena
The Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels, or C2B2, which includes representatives from Colorado State University, is up and running.
The C2B2 center, formed this spring with support from Gov. Bill Ritter, had its first meeting with private sponsors this week in Boulder, launching the start of world-class research to develop new biofuels and bio refining technologies. Funded primarily by private sponsors, it is the first research center created under the umbrella of the new collaboratory.
"It was really impressive to see representatives from 30 companies as well as from the universities all working together," said Ken Reardon, CSU campus coordinator for the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. "All of the people in the industry are really excited about this process."
Along with CSU, the renewable energy research collaboration includes the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, the University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines.
Working with private companies such as Conoco Phillips, Chevron, Dow Chemical and Shell Oil along with a handful of smaller companies including Fort Collins-based Solix Biofuels, researchers at each of the state's major higher education institutions are working directly with the private sector as research areas are developed. This creates a hotbed for more private research funding as well as helps university faculty bring their products to the commercial market faster.
"We heard from people this week about the challenges universities are facing when trying to get new technologies to the commercial market," said David Hiller, executive director of the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. "Having these private partners at the table to have a say in what kinds of research should be conducted is helpful in many ways but will certainly help us bring concepts from just being research to something more (commercially) tangible. This week's meetings laid the groundwork for that."
In addition, Hiller said when research universities can have discussions with the private sector about what is needed, the ability to receive funding becomes easier.
"I think it really serves as an important role and a focal point for business to collaborate with universities for research and information exchange," said Doug Henston, co-founder of Solix. "We're excited about the opportunity this presents not only for us but for the industry in general and for the Colorado economy."
Solix is working with CSU researchers in Colorado to develop better ways to create and use renewable energy.
Almost $9.2 million was awarded to CSU by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2006, largely earmarked for energy technology research. The university has more than 80 faculty members from all eight colleges involved in clean energy technology.
Among other emerging technologies, CSU renewable energy research has focused on biofuels, solar energy, greenhouse gas inventory and energy efficiency production in recent years.
CSU researcher and City Council member Wade Troxell, who works with the collaboratory, said the initiative will be a positive for Fort Collins and the state.
"In the long-term, as we bring together unmatched expertise in Colorado with the three research universities and NREL, we are creating a research partnership that is unmatched around the world," Troxell said. "If we can solve and bring to the market new technologies, than that sets Colorado as the go-to place for technologies of the future."