Suganit Systems, Inc. is involved in the research and development of renewable and clean energy. Suganits goal is to help develop economically viable technologies for renewable energy production. In keeping with this goal, the firm has been doing research in producing ethanol from biomass. This is a particularly attractive path to renewable energy since it helps rural and farm communities regain their economic vitality, while at the same time providing an abundant, alternative source for the insatiable need for transportation fuels. The choice between affordable food for humans versus fuel for automobiles will also be side-stepped using this approach. Only 13.1% of the worlds energy needs are currently met by renewable resources and the rest of the 86.9% are met by non-renewable resources. Combustible biomass is almost exclusively used in the under-developed regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America, for cooking and heating purposes. With the rapid development of countries like India and China, the energy needs of the world are expected to double in the next half century. Fossil fuels, as used currently will not be able to meet the needs for such a growing energy demand. Additionally, the use of fossil fuels contributes significantly to green-house gas emissions, which have a harmful impact on the environment. No doubt, the growth of these emissions needs to be arrested and reduced. Reduction in the use of fossil fuels also increases the energy security of countries since fossil fuel producing countries are a small number, which are located in politically volatile regions. As of 2004, the share of bio-fuels for road transport was less than 1% in the world. Suganit Systems has funded university research in the US and collaborated in developing a new pretreatment method for production of ethanol from biomass. This process is more efficient compared to existing methods, and the relative yield of sugars through enzymatic hydrolysis is high. A related patent application has been submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office by the University-Suganit team. At the present time, Suganit Systems is poised to take this novel technology and optimize it to make it suitable for commercial production. The firm believe that this approach and technology will provide a viable and cost effective means for businesses to produce renewable, clean transportation fuels. Other technologies currently being studied at Suganit include solar energy conversion devices.
