The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) provides funding for nine bioenergy industry consortia. Each consortium utilizes the capabilities of the DOE National Laboratory system to overcome the challenges of researching and developing competitive, cost-effective, and scalable fuels and products made from renewable biomass.

Download BETO’s Bioenergy Consortia fact sheet.

Below are brief descriptions and links to more information for each BETO-funded consortium:

AGILE BIOFOUNDRY

Works to accelerate and streamline the biomanufacturing pipeline through the use of synthetic biology tools, processes for predictable scale-up, machine learning, and the use of non-model host organisms by establishing a robust set of biomanufacturing principles.

Learn more at agilebiofoundry.org
Download the Agile BioFoundry fact sheet

ALGAE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIUM

The Algae Foundation launched the Algae Technology Educational Consortium (ATEC) project, recognizing algal production will provide a sustainable source of biomass for bio-based products, feed, fuel and foods creating high quality jobs for an educated workforce.

A partnership between academic institutions, national research laboratories, and industry leaders, the consortium’s goal is to develop novel educational programs to strengthen industry workforce capabilities, by focusing on the skills needed to support the commercialization of algal products. Through algal education, students learn practical applications of farming and biotechnology developing the skills for the next generation of algal-based jobs.

Learn more at algaefoundationatec.org

BIOPROCESSING SEPARATIONS CONSORTIUM

Develops cost-effective, high-performing separations technologies that are coordinated with challenges relevant to industry in order to facilitate adoption.

This consortium addresses separations challenges such as impurities in intermediates impeding downstream biological and chemical catalysts, the need for low-cost purification technologies, and recovery and conversion of dilute carbon.

Learn more at: bioesep.org

BIO-OPTIMIZED TECHNOLOGIES TO KEEP THERMOPLASTICS OUT OF LANDFILLS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Supported by both the Bioenergy Technologies Office and the Advanced Manufacturing Office, Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE™) is a multi-organization consortium focused on developing new chemical upcycling strategies for today's plastics and creating tomorrow's plastics to be recyclable by design. BOTTLE’s vision is to deliver selective, scalable technologies to enable cost-effective recycling, upcycling, and increased energy efficiency.

Learn more at bottle.org

COREDUCTION AND UPGRADING FOR E-FUELS CONSORTIUM (CO2RUe)

The CO2RUe Consortium develops and derisks advanced technologies that use renewable electricity to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into e-fuels and commodity chemicals. Millions of tons of CO2 are emitted annually from biorefineries and industrial sites across the United States. CO2RUe is working toward using renewable electricity to convert waste CO2 into climate-friendly "e-fuels"—a shorthand for electrofuels, which have dramatically lower land, water, and greenhouse gas footprints compared to fossil fuels.

Learn more about how to turn waste CO2 into a solution for decarbonizing fuels and chemicals on the CO2RUe Consortium webpages.

CHEMICAL CATALYSIS FOR BIOENERGY

Addresses challenges related to the catalytic upgrading of intermediates from both high- and low-temperature processes.

The consortium provides access to more than 50 unique, world-class capabilities and expertise in materials theory and computation, synthesis, characterization, and analysis to accelerate the development of new biofuel catalysts and make improvements to existing catalytic systems.

Learn more at chemcatbio.org
Download the Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy fact sheet

CONSORTIUM FOR COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY

Advances state-of-the-art computational modeling of fundamental physical and chemical processes. New fundamental insight and models developed by this consortium in conjunction with experimental verification will accelerate research and development, help target new applied research, and aid in the design of advanced catalysts, enzyme systems, and reactors.

Learn more at energy.gov/ccpc

CO-OPTIMIZATION OF FUELS & ENGINES

Worked to advance the underlying science needed to develop fuel and engine technologies that work in tandem to achieve significant efficiency and emissions benefits. Focused on identifying and developing new high-performance biofuel blendstocks that increase energy affordability and diversify fuel options, while reducing life cycle emissions from the transportation sector and improving the value proposition for bio-based fuels.

Learn more at energy.gov/fuel-engine-co-optimization

DISCOVR: DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED SCREENING, CULTIVAR OPTIMIZATION, AND VERIFICATION RESEARCH

Investigates the enhancement of algae productivity through screening of promising algae strains and implementation of effective cultivation strategies to accelerate the development of algal biofuels and bioproducts.

Learn more at discovr.labworks.org

FEEDSTOCK-CONVERSION INTERFACE CONSORTIUM

Researchers in this consortium quantify, understand, and manage biomass variability from the field to downstream conversion. The consortium seeks to understand how feedstock composition, structure, and behavior impacts overall biorefinery performance.

Learn more at energy.gov/fcic
Download the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium fact sheet