renewable fuels VP takes on challenge of lifetime

Nuray Elci has been overcoming obstacles since childhood, when her father’s sudden passing set a difficult upbringing in motion.

His death left the family, which had just moved from Germany to Turkey, with no income, a half-built home and a mother tasked with raising five children alone.

“It was a tough adjustment and trying time for all,” Elci recalled. “It also simultaneously instilled in us the virtues of resilience and determination.”

Elci persevered by focusing on her education, later being admitted to a gifted program where she graduated at the top of her class.

Today, she’s facing the most consequential challenge of her career.

As Chevron’s vice president of renewables, Elci doesn’t just champion lower carbon solutions. She helps make them happen.

Her focus is on using renewable transportation fuels to help lower the sector’s carbon intensity.

“We’re trying to drive change and contribute to a lower carbon future,” Elci said. “It’s probably one of the most challenging roles I had during my 20-year career with the company.”

Renewable fuels can help reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of the transportation sector while meeting the world’s growing energy needs.

Chevron is working with partners to help create a range of viable renewable fuels as both drop-ins and full substitutions for existing fuels.

This includes:

• Sustainable aviation fuel
• Renewable gasoline blends
• Biofuels in the maritime sector
• Renewables for the rail sector
• Hydrogen as a fuel
• Renewable fuels in transportation 

Although transportation solutions are on the horizon, Elci’s days of conquering challenges are hardly over.

“Every day is a problem-solving day,” she said. “Every day is a learning day. The challenges are evolving, and by the time you think you’ve figured something out, something new comes at you. It’s ever-changing and embracing that change has been fun.”

Elci added that there’s no single answer as many solutions will be needed to meet future energy demands.

“It’s an ‘and’ world,” she said. “The world is evolving. We need significant amounts of energy, and we need all solutions.”