BETO Waste Feedstocks and Conversion R&D

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Purpose

To (1) support new strategies for energy and resource recovery from waste streams, curbing fugitive methane emissions, air and water quality impacts, odors, etc.; and (2) develop more robust organisms and catalytic processes for the conversion of sustainable feedstocks and intermediates into biofuels and bioproducts.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Broad eligibility for groups, governments, individuals, and consortia of the above, including alllowances for foreign entities. BETO is interested in the following Topic Areas: - TA 1: MSW Feedstock Technologies - TA 2: Robust Microbial Cells - TA 3: Robust Catalytic Processes - TA 4: Community Scale Resource and Energy Recovery from Organic Wastes

Decarbonization Considerations

BETO focuses on developing technologies that convert domestic lignocellulosic biomass and waste resources into affordable low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts that significantly reduce carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis as compared to equivalent petroleum-based products. These activities will ultimately aims to improve sustainable fuel production to meet the low-carbon (minimum of 70% decrease in GHGs) and affordable drop-in biofuels and aviation emission reduction goals.

Equity Considerations

Applicants are required to submit a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan that describes the actions the applicant will take to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, support people from underrepresented groups in STEM, advance equity, and encourage the inclusion of individuals from these groups in the project; and the extent the project activities will be located in or benefit underserved communities.

Helpful Tips

BETO is focusing on applied RD&D to improve the performance and reduce cost of biofuel production technologies and scale-up production systems in partnership with industry. BETO is focused on developing and demonstrating technologies that are capable of producing low-carbon, cost-effective biofuels and co-products by 2030, as well as biofuel production pathways that can deliver at least 70% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum.

Other Notes

N/A