Ceres, Choren announce partnership to optimize energy crops for biofuels, as Choren looks for project site

In California, Ceres announced an agreement with Choren, to optimize energy crops for thermochemical conversion to advanced low-carbon biofuels. The two-year bioenergy project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The thermochemical process does not require enzymes or microorganisms; instead, the biomass is gasified under certain heat and pressure conditions producing synthesis gas, a carbon monoxide and hydrogen-rich gas that can be converted into high quality synthetic fuels, intermediate chemicals or electricity.

In its role, Ceres will evaluate the composition of a broad range of switchgrass and willow plants, and provide biomass samples to Choren for thermochemical processing.

Choren USA’s leadership said that the results of the work would be used to help the company select its initial US project site.

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