BP Solar CEO to become new CEO of Virent, as bioforming technology readies for commercialization

In Wisconsin, the Shell Oil-backed green gasoline company Virent Energy Systems announced that the CEO of BP Solar, Lee Edwards, will become CEO of Virent in January as the company moves towards commercialization of its bioforming technology. Virent converts plant sugars into hydrocarbons identical to petroleum-based hydrocarbons blended to make gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. In addition to heading BP Solar, Edwards had previously been CIO for BP Downstream and Global Brand VP where he had led the introduction of the BP Helios brand.

“Virent offers feedstock flexibility, lifecycle efficiency, and fuel products identical to petroleum fuels,” said Edwards. “Virent’s low-carbon, cost-competitive biofuels offer a new kind of solution to help deliver energy security, reduced CO2 emissions, and the opportunity for job creation.”

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