Google Tests On-Site Biofuel Production

The company Cool Planet Energy Systems has an intriguing idea about biofuel: instead of churning out fuel from large, central refineries, Cool Planet would rather manufacture modular, shippable micro-biorefineries and sell them to you for on-site biofuel production. According to Cool Planet, the system can produce biofuel for only $1.50 per gallon.

According to Cool Planet, Google has been testing its micro-biorefinery by using a blend of 5 percent biofuel and 95 percent gasoline on a campus vehicle at its Mountain View, CA headquarters.

So far, the vehicle has traveled more than 2,400 miles while meeting California's new low carbon fuel standard, which is not scheduled to go into effect until 2020.

The vehicle, called GRide, has also passed comparative tests for smog and fuel efficiency against a control car running on 100 percent gasoline.

Before you get too excited, keep in mind that the Cool Planet system is at its maximum efficiency for sites that have ready access to local feedstock, which cuts transportation costs cut to a minimum. However, the system also has some additional benefits that could still make it an attractive option.

Beyond low cost biofuel

Of course, an on-site biorefinery is not a viable option for every company with a vehicle fleet. However, depending on the company's facility there is more to be gained than just biofuel.

One illustration is provided by a system developed by the company Biodico, which is going to install a modular, shippable biorefinery at a U.S. Navy station in California.

Biodico's system represents a holistic approach to biofuel costs. The price of the liquid fuel is partly offset by reclaiming energy co-generated by the refining process, for use in the naval station's microgrid. There is also some potential for producing marketable by-products.

Similarly, Cool Planet's system produces biochar, a soil enhancer that does double duty as a highly effective form of carbon capture. In fact, biochar is so effective at carbon capture that Cool Planet claims it makes its micro-biorefinery a net carbon-negative process.

That give biochar a significant bottom line value whether it is marketed for cash, or donated or used on site to promote a company's green cred.

Cool Planet biofuel passes the Google test

While the micro-biorefinery could be useful for companies with service and delivery fleets that travel off site, it could also be ideal for use on corporate campuses.

Sustainable biofuel for corporate America

Cool Planet's system is designed to run on non-food biomass including waste such as wood chips and corn stover (corn stalks, husks and cobs), as well as cultivated non-food biofuel crops like miscanthus and switchgrass.

Since the system can draw on a variety of local feedstocks, it has the potential to be cost-efficient practically anywhere in the U.S

In that regard, it's no surprise that Cool Planet's technology has caught Google's eye, as well as other companies with far-flung operations including General Electric, BP, ConocoPhillips, NRG and Exelon.

The modular, scalable technology also dovetails with a broader trend toward distributed energy production, which the Obama Administration has been encouraging along with the development of non-food feedstocks including waste grease and algae biofuel.

Image: Courtesy of Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.

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