Exxon Mobil isn't developing alternative fuels on its own.The Irving,Texas company has partnered with Synthetic Genomics,which was founded by Dr.Craig J. Ventner,a pioneer in the field of genomic research.SGI,which is privately held, acquires knowledge of organisms for energy and environmental applications.Exxon says that their goal is to produce a commercially scalable,renewable fuel that is compatible with gasoline and diesel.
Algae fuels would fit into existing infrastructure such as transportation networks and refineries,which would save untold amounts of capital.Their production wouldn't require arable land and fresh water,and could be accomplished on far fewer acres than other biofuels.As well,algae not only do not emit the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide;they actually absorb it.
Despite its promise,algae biofuel would be a supplement to hydrocarbons for the foreseeable future.Moving algae biofuel from the lab to the pump could require decades of work by a multidisciplinary scientific team,Exxon says.Enthusiasm for turning one-celled organisms into clean energy wells is tempered by the sobriety of a petrochemical titan.
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