We summarize results for the catalytic reforming of methanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol and glucose at temperatures near 520 K to produce H₂/CO₂ gas mixtures.  We then show how this reforming process can be altered to convert glycerol to produce synthesis gas (i.e., H₂/CO gas mixtures).  Because this production of synthesis gas can be accomplished in the same temperature range as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the endothermic production of synthesis gas at low temperatures can be coupled with exothermic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, leading to an energy-integrated process for conversion of biomass to liquid transportation fuels.  This overall reaction to produce liquid fuels from glycerol is slightly exothermic, such that 96% of the energy content of the glycerol molecule is retained in the liquid alkane product.  We then present strategies for the conversion of carbohydrates and polyols to alkanes with targeted molecular weights.  The first step in this approach is the production of compounds having carbonyl groups (-C=O), such as furfurals, ketones, and aldehydes, followed by aldol-condensation reactions to achieve C-C coupling reactions between these intermediates.  These C-C coupling reactions are accompanied by dehydration, leading to the formation of highly conjugated systems of C=C and C=O double bonds.  The C=C bonds in these aldol adducts can then be hydrogenated over Pd-based catalysts, followed production of alkanes by a combination of dehydration and hydrogenation reactions over bifunctional catalysts containing metal and acid sites.  This approach leads to high yields of alkanes in the molecular weight range from C₈ to C₁₅.