Research and development highlights
ExxonMobil has remained a leader in energy technology throughout its 135-year history. With a commitment to fundamental science and innovation unmatched in our industry, we invest about $1 billion a year in R&D.
We continue to advance a range of technologies to help meet growing demand for energy while also reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with energy use. Our in-house research portfolio includes biofuels, carbon capture and storage, breakthrough energy-efficiency processes, natural gas technologies, advanced energy-saving materials and environmental life cycle assessments. We also work with leading research and technology companies, national labs and universities.
Our commitment to reducing emissions doesn’t stop in the research laboratory. Since 2000, ExxonMobil has spent approximately $8 billion to develop and deploy lower-emission energy solutions across our operations.
Algae and other advanced biofuels
ExxonMobil is actively researching biofuels made from algae. Algae naturally produce lipids that can be turned into a renewable, lower-emission fuel for transportation. The challenge is doing so economically and at scale, moving this technology from the petri dish to the fuel tank. ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics Inc. continue to make progress in identifying and enhancing algae strains capable of high lipid production while maintaining desirable growth rates. And because the manufacturing processes for algae biofuels and today’s transportation fuels are similar, algae biofuels could be processed in existing refineries to supplement supplies of conventional gasoline, diesel and other fuels.
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Our broad portfolio of advanced biofuels research also includes biofuels derived from cellulosic biomass. We have an agreement with Renewable Energy Group Inc. to study the production of biodiesel by fermenting cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste.
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Advanced, or second-generation, biofuels offer the possibility of achieving significant GHG reductions while also minimizing the impact on land, fresh water and food supplies compared with first-generation biofuels.
Can algae biofuels be the lower-emission fuel of tomorrow?
The biofuels used around the world today are largely derived from agricultural crops; sugar cane and corn are used to make ethanol, while biodiesel is made from vegetable oils like soy. Unlike these first-generation biofuels, algae could provide a renewable fuel source that does not compete with supplies of food or fresh water. Algae also can consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and have the potential to be produced on a large scale.
From production to combustion, here are seven important reasons why we think the answer could be yes. Find out why this renewable energy source, which can be grown at scale on a limited amount of land, is so promising.
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Algae consumes CO2In addition to producing algae, production sites could also act as carbon capture projects.
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Lower-emission fuelOn a life cycle basis, algae biofuels emit about half as much GHGs as petroleum-derived fuel.
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High yieldEach acre of algae yields more than 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) of fuel. Compare that to 650 gallons (2,460 liters) per acre for palm oil and 50 gallons (190 liters) per acre for soybean oil.
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Year-round harvestUnlike other feedstocks, such as corn, which is harvested only once a year, algae can be harvested repeatedly throughout the year.
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Food productionAlgae can be cultivated on land unsuitable for other purposes with water that can’t be used for food production.
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Water purifierAlgae can be grown in wastewater and industrial effluent, and can actually purify polluted water while simultaneously producing energy-rich biofuels.
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Engine readyAlgae-derived diesel can be pumped into existing diesel automobiles without making major changes to car engines and infrastructure.
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