Biological Technologies for Methane-to-Liquid Fuels Workshop

ARPA-E hosted a workshop entitled, “Biological Technologies for Methane-to-Liquid Fuels,” on Monday, December 5, 2012 in Washington D.C. This workshop convened technical and market experts for the discussion and exploration of transformative biological technologies for methane-to-liquid fuels in the context of potential impact, technical parameters, and cost. 

This workshop explored approaches that combined single carbon metabolism, industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology experts for the discussion and exploration of transformative biological technologies for methane-to-liquid fuels in the context of potential impact, technical parameters, and cost. Specifically, ARPA-E held a discussion revolving around technology solutions which connected methane metabolism with process engineering. The workshop highlighted existing methane conversion approaches by industry and attendees brainstormed new biotechnology and process concepts that will lead to more efficient and lower cost conversion solutions for the production of liquid fuels. Representative outcomes from the workshop are:

  • Representative examples of technologies with high potential to address ARPA-E technology performance parameters for biological conversion of methane to liquid fuels; 
  • Data and/or working knowledge to validate or refute ARPA-E’s technology performance parameters as defined by techno-economic analysis;
  • Prioritization of technology deployment opportunities, and, development of technology supply chains;
  • A refined understanding and/or new learning of both macro- and micro-level technical challenges involving methane supply chains and biological approaches to methane-to-liquid fuels technologies.
View the Workshop Agenda (pdf).
View the Breakout Session Results (pdf).

ARPA-E Host and Administration

Dr. Ramon Gonzalez, Program Director
Dr. Eric Toone, Principal Deputy Director

Speakers and Presentations

1. Dr. Eric Toone, Principal Deputy Director, ARPA-E
 
2. Dr. Ramon Gonzalez, Program Director, ARPA-E
 
3. Dr. Doug Cameron, Co-President & Director, First Green Partners
 
4. Dr. Greg Stephanopoulos, W.H. Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, MIT
 
5. Dr. Ramon Gonzalez, Program Director, ARPA-E
 
6. Dr. Ramon Gonzalez, Program Director, ARPA-E