Environmental Defense Fund

Lynntech, Inc. is a College Station, TX based company that has received a grant(s) from the Department of Energy's SBIR/STTR program. The abstract(s) for these grant award(s) are provided as well since they provide insights into Lynntech, Inc.'s business and areas of expertise. The amount of energy stored and the efficiency of nickel-metal hydride batteries, such as those used with intermittent renewable energy sources is limited by the use of a liquid electrolyte. This project will develop a solid hydroxide electrolyte suitable for use in high powered batteries. This project will develop a catalyst to cost-effectively transform renewable sources of energy, such as fats and oils to biodiesel. This technology will reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil and result in a net decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. This project will address the processing of heavy crude and increase limited, large scale refineries. This project will enable the cost effective refining of heavy crude in the Nation's small refineries as well, which are critical to meeting the Nation's liquid fuel supply. This project will develop a new method for harvesting algae containing bio-oils for biofuel production. This process will enable cost-effective production of advanced biofuels such as biodiesel, green diesel, green gasoline, and green jet fuel reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil. Magnet harvesting of algae offers the prospect of a significant reduction in the cost of harvesting high oil content algae for biofuel use. Combined with algae's high fuel per acre yield, this can increase the availability of cost effective biofuels. This project will identify infrastructure problems and system requirements to design and fabricate an affordable, safe and energy efficient home hydrogen fueling appliance. It is targeted to meet hydrogen refueling needs of the average US traveler on a daily basis and has potential application as backup power source in emergencies. This project will develop technology that will produce aviation fuels from algae-derived biodiesel, which has significant energy density to be used an alternative transportation fuel source. This project aims to develop an innovative biomass preprocessing system to improve overall bioenergy production efficiency by utilizing an environmentally-friendly approach. The broadbased capabilities of this technology will enable it to perform multiple tasks in a single unit of operation. Renewable fuels from biological feedstocks such as ethanol and biodiesel have been recognized as attractive renewable energy sources; however, the inherently high production costs of these fuels have hampered their widespread application. This project will produce highly efficient catalysts for refining of biological feedstocks offers high efficiency and low-cost production. This project will develop a novel diesel fuel reformer which will provide high quality fuel gas to a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system with high efficiency and low system complexity. The system will enable SOFC Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) in the 1 - 5 kW range to become economically viable.

The IGEC is an International non - profit association comprised of individuals and companies that promote "Green" (sustainable) forms of energy production, renewable energy sources, sustainable design practices and advanced thinking in utilizing education and information for the promotion of being better stewards of the company's environment.The company are comprised of renewable energy companies, developers, builders, material suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, lending institutions, utilities, installers, designers, manufacturers, engineers, inspectors, consultants and others involved in and out of the "green" community.

Aerophase, Inc. is a Longmont, CO based company that has received a grant(s) from the Department of Energy's SBIR/STTR program. The abstract(s) for these grant award(s) are provided as well since they provide insights into Aerophase, Inc.'s business and areas of expertise. Biodiesel is a key component in US plans to reduce dependence on foreign oil and decrease the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels—but current feedstocks and production technologies prevent it from being cost-competitive. This project will provide enabling technologies for a costeffective, energy-efficient method of producing biodiesel fuels from a variety of lowercost feedstocks. Biodiesel is a key component in U.S. plans to reduce dependence on foreign oil and decrease the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels—but current production technology is not cost-competitive. This project will provide enabling technologies for a cost-effective, energy-efficient method of producing biodiesel fuels.

Bioprocessing Innovative Company operates as a company that produces and engineers bio-energy solutions. The company is based in Dublin, Ohio.

Copernican Energy is a company that received a STTR Phase I grant for a project entitled: High Temperature Solar Thermal Biomass Gasification and Co-reduction of Iron Oxide to Produce Hydrogen. Their project applies renewable solar thermal energy as a novel way to provide the necessary energy for biomass gasification and will develop the science required to engineer an efficient solar biomass-to-hydrogen conversion facility. Central to this innovation is the use of a reduced oxide intermediate to chemically store solar energy in a solid, allowing continuous hydrogen generation when the sun is not shining. The operating conditions necessary to achieve economically viable conversion of biomass resources to hydrogen will be determined through in-depth study "on-sun" and in the laboratory of heat transfer, reaction rates, and rate controls. The proposed project provides a bridge between solar energy and biomass to surmount many of the challenges associated with conventional biomass processing technologies. The high temperatures available from solar thermal systems allow for high conversion and selectivity, maximizing utility of the valuable biomass resource and extending its ability to replace conventional fossil fuels. Use of a reduced metal oxide stretches the applicability of solar energy beyond the daylight hours. Combined use of solar energy with biomass has a larger potential than either renewable resource alone to provide renewable fuels for the future. Copernican Energy is a company that received a STTR Phase I grant for a project entitled: Rapid Solar Thermal Gasification and Pyrolysis of Cellulose and Lignin for Renewable Fuel Production. Their research uses solar thermal energy as a novel way to provide the necessary energy for renewable biomass conversion to energy or useful products, and develops the science required to engineer an efficient and commercial solar biomass conversion facility. Gasification and pyrolysis of representative biomass resources grown near solar regions (corn stover and sorghum) will be converted via thermogravimetry, controlled aerosol reaction, and on-sun demonstration of feasibility of this approach. Thermogravimetric experiments will determine chemical kinetics and necessary conditions for high selectivity to syngas and tar mitigation. Economic simulations will determine the main cost drivers for product price and highlight the syngas products with highest near-term scale-up potential. The broader impacts of the application of solar thermal energy to thermochemical conversion of biomass will provide a bridge between these sources of renewable energy that could surmount many of the challenges associated with conventional biomass processing technologies. Combined use of solar energy with biomass has a larger potential than either renewable resource alone and will help alleviate the nation's dependence on foreign petroleum, generate economic growth, create fuels that are environmentally sustainable, and have an impact on the overall human impact of energy use.

NextCAT is commercializing a series of catalysts for use in biodiesel production, developed at the National Biofuels Energy Lab at Wayne State University.