How Bugs (Yes, Bugs) May Make High Priced Oil a Thing of the Past

Did you ever think that microscopic bugs could present an alternative to drilling for oil, and what that might mean for all sectors of the world economy, especially transportation, design and manufacturing?  To create that alternative, with the help of funding from venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, LS9, an industrial biotech firm in South San Francisco, CA, has been developing a line of patent-pending biofuels through the process of synthetic biology.  The process involves using genetically modified (and non pathogenic) strains of e. coli, which are essentially “fed” various kinds of “feedstock” (wheat straw, wood chips, etc), resulting in a fermentation process that yields a fuel virtually ready for a gas pump.  In that it doesn’t require a fuel-intensive distillation process, it is much more efficient than the process used to produce ethanol.  LS9 believes that they are about one month away from being able to use the fuel as traditional gasoline would be, such as in a car’s gasoline tank, or to power a manufacturing plant, and they plan to have a demonstration-scale plant open by 2010 and a commercial-scale plant open by 2011, which may incorporate Brazilian sugar cane for feedstock.

There is no doubt that the efforts of LS9 and other firms like it, represent a positive step in ending our dependence on traditionally sourced foreign (and domestic, think ANWR) oil, especially as oil prices remain so high.   However, like corn-based biomaterials, bio fuels also have their challenges, such as the emissions they create when burned, and that the scale of production required to meet even domestic fuel demand is so great - some say a plant the size of the City of Chicago!  But perhaps considering the way Silicon Valley works, and how many firms have become strongly devoted to alt fuel and clean tech initiatives, it may not be too long before an entrepreneur develops some sort of  emissions-free biofuel that can be produced at facilities tethered to municipal waste treatment plants.  Although that may be just a concept today, when achieved, it would help create a truly “sustainable” alternative to traditional petroleum, and thus decrease the overall environmental impact of the global economy.

Some great resources for further information:

LS9’s Renewable Petroleum™ Technology

Khosla Ventures

Clean Edge 

Improving The BMW Fuel Economy and Performance

Over the years BMW has not been gravitating towards hybrids in the same way that others in the industry have, reluctant to make these petrol/electric cars that will be more fuel efficient. However, their vehicles have seen some increase in fuel efficiency. We’ve noticed a small boost in performance and mileage in the Mini Cooper series (part of BMW), debuting with a very similar look but in a completely redone form with its 2007 model. The company has also been working to try out hydrogen technology (a not-so glorious technology popular in the early 2000’s) with the BMW Hydrogen 7, a production-ready model that has been put in the hands of 100 “leading figures from the worlds of culture, politics, business and the media.” We’re not sure if they’re going to release the feedback they’ve been getting with this trial run, but it would be great to hear what people are actually saying after extended use of the car.

BMW’s promoted concept called ActiveHybrid, represents the “future of BMW hybrid technologies”. It is slated to play a big role in their EfficientDynamics, a set of initiatives with components in the car focused on reducing fuel consumption and emission levels, without affecting “driving pleasure”, as they often mention in their promotional material. The overall aim of BMW’s ActiveHybrid is to achieve 20% less fuel consumption and emissions in many of their cars. To showcase their vision, the company has updated their X6 Concept car as a hybrid, with new styling, as well as explanations about how this new technology will function. BMW released their X6 concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007.

Click here to see the 2008 BMW sustainability report

A 1930’s DIY Model-T With The Car Mileage of Today

This incredible story from ecomodder.com tells of a DIY aeromodding project from 1933 where a Ford Model T was redesigned with a custom fabricated teardrop body. The resulting car traveled at 70 miles per hour with its original engine while the original Model T only made it to 45. The streamlined car also got 38 miles per gallon while the original car was in the range of 25-30. Harry Stevinson who created the car, didn’t loose interest in automobile efficiency after the Model T. He was 17 when he created the aerodynamic Ford and in later years, equipped an Oldsmobile with a basic fuel economy meter to monitor gas consumption on the road.

For the full article of this amazing project visit metrompg.com.