Energy conference explores breakthrough technologies

During his panel presentation, ExxonMobil's Nazeer Bhore (second from left) discussed a number of promising technologies to increase vehicle efficiency and lower emissions.

Leading experts in breakthrough energy technologies from the United States and Europe gathered in London earlier this year to share ideas and perspectives on key issues, including hydrocarbon-production techniques, improved efficiency in transportation, carbon-emission mitigation and alternative-energy options.

The Financial Times Energy Conference, sponsored by ExxonMobil, explored technology options that could help meet increased energy demand in efficient and environmentally responsible ways.

The ideas discussed included innovative approaches to oil-sands production, extended-reach drilling, wave energy, advances in batteries (both for vehicles and for storing energy produced by hydro or wind power), hydrogen-powered cars, thin-film solar cells and advanced biofuels.

Attended by more than 100 specialists in the field of energy technologies, the conference provided participants with the opportunity to question the experts, exchange ideas and network with peers.

Debates concentrated on four topics: new techniques that offer innovative approaches to find, produce and deliver hydrocarbon reserves; technological innovations that allow industries to use energy more efficiently; advancements in the large-scale reduction, removal and storage of carbon dioxide; and developments in alternative-energy resources.

Chaired by Neil Hirst of the International Energy Agency, the conference included speakers such as the chief scientific advisor to the British government, representatives from eight leading universities and research institutions, and specialists from Schlumberger, BP, General Motors, GE, Air Liquide, ALSTOM Power and IBM. Professor Lynn Orr, former Global Climate and Energy Project director, Stanford University, was a speaker, along with ExxonMobil’s Nazeer Bhore, Corporate Strategic Planning senior technology advisor. In addition, Professor M. Stanley Whittingham of the State University of New York, who helped invent lithium-ion battery technology as an Exxon employee in the 1970s, was a key speaker.

Technology improvements
During the conference, Bhore discussed how new technologies can improve vehicle efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the short term, we need to improve the efficiency of engines and transmissions, use improved tires, and also make vehicles lighter and more aerodynamically efficient,” he said.

“In the mid-term, we will also need to further develop advanced power trains, such as hybrids and advanced diesels, such that their cost is lowered to promote widespread adoption.

“For the longer term, we need step-out technologies involving hydrogen fuel cells, electric cars and next-generation biofuels. I’m enthusiastic about all of these options.”

Bhore said ExxonMobil is developing a highly promising technology that can produce hydrogen from liquid fuels onboard a vehicle. The technology uses a process called reforming to chemically convert gasoline, diesel or biofuel into fuel cell-ready hydrogen.

“This is very exciting because it offers the potential to avoid many of the problems that make hydrogen use for transportation fuel such a huge challenge,” he said. “These challenges include finding ways to make hydrogen in large volumes, and then distributing it and storing it economically and safely. None of that is easy.”

Bhore reported that ExxonMobil engineers estimate this new on-board hydrogen-generation technology on a fuel-cell vehicle can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent or boost fuel economy by 80 percent.

He noted that this hydrogen technology is just one of many innovations ExxonMobil is pursuing, through its own research or in collaboration with others, to improve vehicle efficiency. Other efforts include the company’s recently introduced battery separator film technology, as well as numerous projects involving biofuels and step-out engine technologies.

“As a society, we must aggressively pursue a portfolio of options that potentially can improve vehicle efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases, while also meeting society’s continuing needs for reliable and affordable transportation fuels,” he said.