ExxonMobil & Synthetic Genomics Project comes to Imperial County
ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics (SGI) Algae Biofuels Program announced a new phase for the mutual algae biofuel research program Tuesday.
With their facility near Calipatria, Calif., a portion of this ongoing research is being held in Imperial County.
The research will allow ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics to better understand essential engineering parameters including viscosity and flow, which cannot be easily replicated in a lab.
An outdoor field study is part of the new phase that will grow naturally occurring algae in several contained ponds.
Exxon and SGI said a shared goal of the project is to scale up to 10,000 barrels of biofuel production per day by 2025.
Imperial County Supervisor and Board Chairman Ray Castillo said “[Imperial County] welcomes the project into our region. The potential for new jobs in research, development and eventually commercial production is truly exciting.”
With a readily available workforce, an abundance of sunshine and a secure water supply, Imperial County is a prime location for renewable energy production.
