Sayre Tapped to Lead Biofuel Research Center

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TheBioenergySite Latest News

Thursday, August 28, 2008

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Sayre Tapped to Lead Biofuel Research Center

US - Dr Richard Sayre, one of the US's leading biofuels researchers, has been named director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.

Enterprise created the Institute in 2007 with a $25 million gift from the company’s founding family, the Taylors of St. Louis, to support development of renewable energy sources. The Taylors – who own Enterprise, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car – operate the world’s largest automotive fleet, with more than 1.1 million vehicles.

"Just as we are committed to using our fleet to grow the market for commercially viable new fuels and engine technologies, we believe it is important to play a role in the search for sustainable, renewable fuels that can curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependency on finite fossil fuels," said Andy Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Enterprise.

"Dr Sayre and his team bring tremendous leadership to this effort."

Dr Roger N. Beachy, president of the Danforth Center, said Dr Sayre's deep experience in plant science will advance the mission of the Danforth Center and the Institute for Renewable Fuels.

"Attracting a researcher of Dr Sayre’s caliber speaks volumes about the work we have done over the last decade – and the pioneering work we will do in the future," Dr Beachy said.

Much of the work to be done by Dr. Sayre and his team of 10 researchers will focus on using algae to produce "third-generation" biofuels that someday could be used on a large scale to power cars, trucks, and aircraft. This complements the larger body of biofuels research underway at the Danforth Center.

"Extracting oil from algae to produce a more sustainable biofuel is one of the most promising and exciting areas of biofuels research today," said Dr Sayre, formerly a professor in the Department of Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology at The Ohio State University.

"Algae have significant potential as a clean, renewable, and economical fuel source. And, because algae are not used as food, they are a biofuel source that does not compete with the food supply.

"Biofuels research continues to advance at a rapid pace," Dr Sayre said.

"The first generation in biofuels research was using the corn plant to make ethanol. The second generation involves using the non-food parts of the corn plant to create cellulosic ethanol. Algal oil – which yields much higher energy density while requiring less land and water than other biodiesel – represents the third generation."

"For Enterprise, our company’s success depends on the availability of vehicles and fuel, and both must be acceptable to society. That’s why we are taking steps now to invest in the future, as part of our commitment to sustain our business by addressing the parts of the world we touch with our business," Mr Taylor said.