BP to Showcase Biofuels at London Olympics
LONDON -- As the official oil and gas partner of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, BP will provide advanced fuels and lubricants for the official fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles. Attendees will get a preview of the company's vision of "Fueling the Future" when the Games begin July 27, reports Ethanol Producer Magazine.
Additionally, BP will demonstrate three of its advanced biofuels in approximately 100 fleet vehicles: cellulosic ethanol produced from purpose-grown energy grasses; renewable diesel manufactured from sugar feedstocks; and biobutanol produced using sugar feedstock at the U.K. Butamax joint venture demonstration plant constructed by BP and DuPont, according to the report.
"These breakthrough technologies will redefine biofuels," said BP Biofuels CEO Phillip New. "By incorporating them in the fuels for London 2012 we have taken the next generation of biofuels from the laboratory to the road."
BP reportedly stated that it believes that biofuels have a real part to play in meeting the energy demands of the future, and could make up seven percent of the global transportation fuel market by 2030, up from three percent today.
The company also launched its Target Neutral London 2012 program, which provides administration and funding to offset the carbon footprint of travelers to the London Games. The more people who sign up, the more the program can support low-carbon development projects across the globe, according to BP. Carbon emissions will be offset from six different projects that represent the continents participating in the Olympics:
- China's Tongcheng Kaidi Biomass Power Project
- Turkey's Ankara Landfill Gas to Energy Project
- The Methane Capture at Holsum Dairies in Wisconsin
- Brazil's Rio Ceramics Biomass Project
- Wind Farms in New Caledonia
- Kenya's Meru and Nanyuki Community Reforestation Project
"Sustainability underpins all of our plans -- and has done since the bid," said Seb Coe, London 2012 chairman. "BP's Target Neutral scheme is a fantastic opportunity for millions to offset their carbon footprint and help London 2012 to inspire positive social, economic and environmental change for the future."