Petrobras to invest $400M in advanced biofuel research, development

Brazilian energy company Petrobras has set aside nearly $400 million for research and development related to advanced biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and aviation fuels. According to Petrobras Biocombustível's head of technology management, João Norberto Noschang Neto, the energy giant's 2010 to 2014 business plan calls for a deep dive into biofuels and, as Neto indicated:

We are using a number of approaches in our research, including the reuse of glycerin, rejuvenation of mature fields, and even cellulosic ethanol and aviation biofuel development.

Neto says that Petrobras is already conducting experiments with the goal of exploiting microalgae as a feedstock for biofuels. In the coming years, the Brazilian firm will prioritize the development of second-generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol produced from cane bagasse. Petrobras says that its target is to at least double its biofuel output within the next four years. Now that's a remarkable goal.

[Source: Green Car Congress | Image: Agência Brasil – Wikimedia Commons]