Joule commissions New Mexico renewable fuels plant
Courtesy
Joule has commissioned its first fuel production demonstration plant, in Hobbs, N.M., shown here in a rendering.
Bedford, Mass.-based Joule Unlimited has commissioned its first demonstration plant, in New Mexico, where the company aims to prove the commercial readiness of its method for producing low-cost renewable fuels without biomass.
The company said its first "SunSprings" demonstration plant, located in Hobbs, N.M., and will start out producing ethanol. The firm has also developed technology for creating renewable diesel fuel, though Joule said it will commercialize ethanol before seeking to bring its diesel fuel to market.
Both types of fuel are produced from specially engineered photosynthetic bacteria, waste carbon dioxide, sunlight and water. The production method involves erecting solar converter systems across unused land.
Joule says the technology has the potential to decentralize the fuel industry, allowing fuel to be produced wherever the necessary elements are available.
The commissioning of the plant is funded by Joule's $70 million third round of funding, announced in January. Joule was founded in 2007 by Flagship Ventures, and has raised at $110 million in funding to date from Flagship and unnamed investors.
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