Exxon’s Move in Algae Fuels
ExxonMobil unveiled the opening of a greenhouse in which to take to the next level the research and testing of algae as the basis for a fuel. Exxon, like all major oil producers, has been looking into potential fuels to supplement or even replace traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels.
And while its investment is small in the scheme of things – $600m over the next decade – that it is continuing with the algae biofuels program at all signals the company’s belief that it could have some potential. That does not mean Exxon is going to rush into the process.
The company does not do anything quickly. Emil Jacobs, vice president of research and development for Exxon, alluded to that at the ribbon cutting in California. Since the companies unveiled their venture last July, they have focused on isolating and engineering a large number of algal strains and developing growth conditions under which they could be made more productive. They also have identified and tested some of the preferred designs of different production systems. And they have begun studies to assess the impact of each step in the process on greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water use.
