DOE announces $12m funding for biorefinery technology

In a bid to accelerate the transition to a decarbonised economy, the US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $12m funding initiative to support the development of integrated biorefinery technologies.

The funding, allocated through the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), will be used to reduce technology uncertainty and demonstrate the viability of bioenergy solutions that produce low-carbon intensity biofuels and biochemicals. A particular focus will be on sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), which are seen as critical for decarbonising the transportation sector.

This investment aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The funding opportunity will encourage collaboration between industry, academia, and DOE national laboratories. Selected projects will focus on the design, construction, and testing of new technology and feedstock pathways for engineering-scale biorefineries.

By reducing costs and technical risks, the DOE hopes to pave the way for the widespread adoption of commercial-scale integrated biorefineries, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The timelines and process to apply can be accessed here.