Industrial Research Chair in cellulosic ethanol and biocommodities of the University de Sherbrooke will be renewed until 2017 thanks to a grant of $ 2.8 million from the Quebec government. This financial contribution comes from the 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change.
The main objective of the Industrial Research Chair in cellulosic ethanol and biocommodities is to support Quebec’s technological know-how in the field of second generation biofuels. Specifically, the Chair wishes to develop this expertise in the production of renewable fuels to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce Quebec’s dependence on imported oil. These advanced biofuels and bioplastics as biocommodities and bioproducts fine chemicals could replace from medium to long term a significant share of petroleum equivalent products.
“We believe that Quebec’s energy future through renewable energy and greater autonomy with respect to hydrocarbons. It also requires energy efficiency and technological innovation. Industrial Research Chair in cellulosic ethanol and biocommodities will play a leading role in this process! “Said Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan.
“The University de Sherbrooke has long been at the forefront of Quebec and North American research on biofuels, said the vice-president of research, innovation and entrepreneurship, Professor Jacques Beauvais. This is an area in which our researchers have distinguished themselves very early, which enabled an entire industry to emerge and make his place. We are pleased that the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources shares our enthusiasm for the know-how developed here, but we are especially proud to see UdeS take an even more important role in the creation of second generation biofuels. ”
Created in 2007, the Chair has actually helped to support the construction of two demonstration plants for the production of cellulosic ethanol, to form a dozen highly qualified researchers currently working in Québec technology companies and develop work leading to applications marketable.
The renewal of this Chair, led by Professor Jean-Michel Lavoie of the Faculty of Engineering, will have a total budget of $ 3.6 million until 2017. It will focus on the development of results so far this partnership research involving the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, GreenField Ethanol Québec inc., Enerkem inc., CRB Innovations inc. and the University de Sherbrooke.
“In order to achieve the mandate of adding 5% ethanol in gasoline, it is important to take advantage of several carbon sources such as forest, agricultural and urban waste to complement what we produce ethanol via -grain” argues the holder of the chair. With the expertise developed in the first term, the development of emerging technologies for the production of cellulosic ethanol and implementation of a demonstration plant in Westbury Enerkem and a full-scale commercial plant in Edmonton, the main objective of this renewal is to support the Quebec technological know-how in the field of renewable fuels and, in particular, the production of biofuels.
* Source: http://www.usherbrooke.ca/medias/nouvelles/actualites