Report Published on Biotechnology R&D Opportunities in the Electricity Enterprise
Program on Technology Innovation: Biotechnology Research and Development Opportunities in the Electricity Enterprise (1014706).  Biotechnology offers great promise for the electricity enterprise in terms of lower cost, higher efficiency, and sustainable options through applications in areas such as biomass, bioremediation, phytoremediation, carbon capture, industrial process enhancement, biofuels and hydrogen production, and corrosion control.  The electricity enterprise is currently underrepresented in the biotechnology sector in terms of research, but there is a current move to apply plant and industrial biotechnologies to the energy sector because of the enormous market potential in specific applications.  This report points to opportunities where EPRI can advance such developmental activities and take a leadership role in biotechnology R&D applications within the electricity enterprise.  Technologies related to bioenergy crops, bioremediation, phytoremediation, and biocatalysts development should all produce positive short-term benefits for the electricity enterprise.  On the other hand, biological removal of metals from fuel, biohydrogen, and biocorrosion control should be considered long-term R&D activities.  The report also identifies biotechnology areas where EPRI's Office of Technology Innovation (TI) can take an active role in R&D activities, including periodic horizon scanning of biotechnologies, comparison of the application of bio- and conventional technologies for using solar energy to deliver useful electricity, and development of a biomass technology assessment guide.  In all, this report emphasizes that EPRI needs to be in the forefront of R&D and demonstration activities in the biotechnology arena, as applied to the electricity enterprise.  For more information, contact John W. Goodrich-Mahoney, (202) 293-7516, jmahoney@epri.com.