Oilgae Blog - The Latest from the World of Algae Fuels
UTPA Receives More than $3 Million from the State
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Money from the state tech fund is also going to two South Texas businesses.
Houston-based ScanTech Sciences, which is developing a food sterilization process through electronic pasteurization, was awarded $2 million. Another $1 million is going to Brownsville-based Photon8 Inc., which is working on producing bio-fuel from algae. The grants are to help with the development and commercialization of their research.
Photon8 moved its offices from New Jersey to the University of Texas-Brownsville/Texas Southmost College’s campus last year and is working with the university to develop bio-fuel technology. The company already received $250,000 of its grant, said Brad W. Bartilson, Photon8’s president and chief executive officer.
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Algae Biofuel Project in Carlsbad
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The New Mexico Environment Department has reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Corp. under which the Houston company will pay $5.1 million in environmental projects and penalties to resolve air quality violations alleged by the state at Marathon's Indian Basin Gas Plant near Carlsbad.
The environmental projects include $3.75 million to build and maintain new pollution controls to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions and $750,000 for an algae-to-biofuels project in Carlsbad.
Beckons to Set up Bio-diesel Plant in Punjab
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Punjab-based Beckons Industries is planning to set up a bio-diesel plant using algae as a feedstock at Derabassi (Punjab) at an investment of Rs 600 million. The plant will be the first of its kind in this part of the region. For the purpose, the company has technological collaborative agreement with Austria-based company Energia and also an agreement with Germany-based GTZ for carbon credits.
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WSU Gets Algae Research Funds
You are at: Oilgae Blog.A researcher at Washington State University recently received a $2 million federal appropriation to improve the process of turning algae into energy. The money came through the 2010 Senate Energy and Water Development bill and will go to the Washington State Algae Alliance.
Shulin Chen is a professor of biological systems engineering. He has patents pending on several algae culture, harvesting and nutrient-recycling systems. The money will be used to improve ways to process and produce algae.
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Washington State Algae Alliance
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The Washington State Algae Alliance, comprised of bioscience firm Targeted Growth, Inc. (TGI), Inventure Chemical (Inventure) and Washington State University (WSU), will benefit from $2 million in funding through WSU as part of the 2010 Senate Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) was instrumental in securing funding for the Alliance, which will jointly develop a new system for the production of sustainable and renewable fuels, chemicals, and chemical intermediates, creating jobs and furthering the state’s growing clean technology base.
The Alliance has three objectives: First, to develop an efficient and integrated algae cultivation system for the production of fuel and other products; second, to build first class capabilities; and third, to advance related science and technologies. These objectives align with initiatives identified in the National Algae Fuel Roadmap developed by the US Department of Energy.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
US Government Picks 19 Biofuel Projects to Get $564 Million
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The U.S. government on Friday said 19 biofuel refinery projects have been selected to receive up to $564 million to enhance the development of advanced biofuels using biomass feedstocks.
The funding includes $25 million to Honeywell's UOP subsidiary, $24.8 million to Archer Daniels Midland, $21.8 million to Solazyme and $50 million to Sapphire Energy.
The government said of the nearly $564 million in funding, up to $483 million will go to 14 pilot-scale and four demonstration-scale biorefinery projects across the country.
The remaining $81 million will focus on the construction of Bluefire LLC's biorefinery project previously awarded funding. The facility will produce ethanol fuel from woody biomass, mill residue, and sorted municipal solid waste.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae Biofuel Production in Southern Chile
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United States corporation Bio Architecture Lab (BAL) has founded a subsidiary, BAL Chile, through which the company has already begun cultivating 100 hectares of seaweed on the island of Chiloé, with the aim of producing bio-fuel.
BAL developed micro-organisms that trigger a fermentation process in the algae, which in turn produces bio-fuel and by-products that can also be commercialised, such as iodine and feed for the salmon industry.
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NASA Launches with Algae Systems on Eve Of COP 15: Carbon-negative Fuel from Sewage and CO2
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As several industrialized nations rush to dampen the expectations of Copenhagen, NASA has launched a new mission. The payload: Algae Systems – a new company started by NASA engineers and seasoned biofuel industry veterans to launch a profitable global solution for reducing greenhouse gases.
Algae Systems: Producing Carbon-Negative Diesel and Jet Fuel from Sewage and CO2 The founders of Algae Systems accepted NASA’s challenge to prove, commercialize and bring to market a unique and revolutionary technology – a byproduct of space missions – that produces a renewable carbon-negative fuel from algae that feeds on sunlight, sewage and CO2.
The NASA-developed technology, called OMEGA (Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae) is a low-cost and low-tech method for growing algae. Unlike other approaches to growing algae, which require construction of massive energy-intensive facilities, OMEGAs are relatively inexpensive. OMEGAs are inflatable plastic membranes filled with processed wastewater, CO2 gas, and freshwater algae. OMEGAs float in water, and can be anchored off the coast of any ocean or salt lake. As the algae grow, using the energy of the sun, they convert wastewater and CO2 into biomass, and oxygen. OMEGA’s uniquely utilize forward-osmosis membranes to permeate purified water out of the OMEGA and into the surrounding water.
When coupled with Algae Systems’ solutions for the production of liquid transportation fuels, the combined “integrated biorefineries” can make high-value fuels while treating wastewater and drawing down CO2. “The OMEGA technology has the power to transform. In conjunction with our fuel conversion technologies, we can transform sewage and carbon dioxide into abundant and inexpensive fuels,” said Matthew Atwood, the President of Algae Systems. “Together the
technologies create an integrated biorefinery that is simple and scalable, generating sustainable-energy supplies and local reen-collar jobs.” Designing Fuels that Draw Down CO2 Algae Systems’ Dr. Zoa Hough-Maguire, a COP 15 delegate representing the State of Florida and her company’s planned commercial project in that state, characterizes the revolutionary benefits of the OMEGA technology, “Algae Systems’ fuels are radically different. They actually draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” The company has utilized the U.S. Department of Energy GREET model for carbon lifecycle to validate the fuels will be carbon-negative. With this new technology in hand, Algae Systems specifically addresses the most critical issues on the agenda of the Copenhagen climate conference: the reduction of CO2 and other GHG emissions, sustainable-energy production, waste disposal, and protecting fragile marine ecosystems and water resources.
Readying for Commercial Launch
In making the announcement, NASA’s, Lisa Lockyer, Deputy Director of New Ventures and Communications for the Ames Research Center, has echoed Algae Systems’ determination and confidence by announcing the center’s support for the commercialization of the technology.
Accepting the challenge and signaling his company’s capacity to meet it, Atwood said, “Rapid deployment is anticipated. We are building a U.S.-based commercial pilot to prove the scalability of the technology up to 100 million gallons of wastewater throughput per
year. Once successful, we will begin offering the technology to industrial and municipal clients."
Technology That Gives Back
"The concept is simple," says John Perry Barlow, a Managing Partner of Algae Systems, "If you can take problems that the world has in abundance, like sewage and CO2, and transform them into resources, like diesel fuel that works in existing machinery, you can create economic fountains within local markets that become a positive incentive to draw down significant quantities of greenhouse gases." As a co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and an early architect of the Open Internet model that has been fundamental to its success, Barlow spent years traveling around Africa and other developing countries connecting them to the Internet. "For any set of technologies to be widely-enough deployed in time to mitigate climate change, they have to spread themselves, like the Internet," Barlow says, "they have to be simple and cheap, they have to address needs the developing world has now, and they have to be deployed by the very people who live there."
Mission Critical: On the Front Lines of Global Warming With a technology so readily adaptable to the immediate needs of the developing world, Algae Systems has become a rallying point for those who are most at risk from sea-level rise due to increasing CO2 emissions: AOSIS, the 42 member Alliance of Small Island States. In the words of U.N. Ambassador Demissa Williams of Grenada, leading member of AOSIS, “We have to worry today, not tomorrow.” With help of NASA and forward-thinking partners around the world, Algae Systems has moved past worry and is taking action.
Algae Systems, LLC (Algae Systems) is an American, full-service carbon-negative energy production, engineering, and technology company, soon offering turn-key solutions for C02 and sewage conversion to diesel-manufacturing plants worldwide for commercial and municipal clients. Algae Systems is a signatory with the UN Global Impact and its official and approved “Caring for Climate” list of international businesses committed to the development of environmentally-friendly technologies.
Additional information about Algae Systems and its technology can be found at www.algaesystems.com and http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2009/09-
147AR.html
The term "Carbon-Negative" describes a process for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the earth's atmosphere. COP 15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, between December 7 and December 18, 2009.
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Labels: Algae-Carbon-Capture, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Algae Biofuel Firm Solix Raises Funds
You are at: Oilgae Blog.In July, Colorado-based Solix Biofuel raised USD16.8m in a Series A funding round from investors including Shanghai Alliance Investment,I2BF Venture Capital and Valero Energy. Solix is building a pilot facility in partnership with Southern Ute Alternative Energy. The first phase will be completed next year and will include four acres of closed algae photobioreactors . The firm claims its technology can produce approximately five times more fuel per acre than soy-based biodiesel.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Replenish, A Micro-algae Based Fuel Program Wins Cleantech Business Competition
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The Cleantech Open is a business competition created to find, fund and foster startup clean technology companies. Winnders were announced this week at the annual Cleantech Open Expo and Awards Gala in San Francisco. Dubbed the "Academy Awards of Clean Technology," the event marks the grand finale of the Cleantech Open's yearlong business competition.
2009 Global Cleantech Open Ideas was won by winner Replenish Energy (www.replenishenergy.org) of Puerto Rico. Replenish is a micro-algae based fuel program of Bio-Lipids of Puerto Rico, a private innovation company. Micro-algae are said to be the World's most efficient renewable energy source currently available, capable of delivering 48,000 kilowatts of electricity per million dollars capital invested.
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To assess the current state of algae technology and determine the next steps toward commercialization of algal biofuel processes, the DOE is developing the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, which will be ready for publication in late December.
Reed said major areas in algae that should be focused on are basic algal biology, cultivation and production, integration and scale up, sustainability and economic analysis. “We’ve already gotten started in some areas of economic analyses, as we’re working with NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and Sandia National Laboratory to look at the techno-economic modeling—where we are today in terms of what’s technically viable, how much it will cost, what the baseline is…we’re also looking at life-cycle assessments; working internationally with groups in Israel as well as Canada, to look at a number of important issues associated with establishing new algae programs.”
See more: Biomass Magazine
Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
US Cleantech Venture Capital Continues to Gain Momentum in Q3 2009
You are at: Oilgae Blog.US venture capital investment in cleantech companies in Q3 2009 increased 46% compared to the prior quarter to$965 million in 50 financing rounds, according to an Ernst & Young LLP analysis based on data from Dow Jones Venture Source. This is the second consecutive quarter of growth in 2009 and the fifth-largest quarterly investment total on record. Compared to Q1 2009, quarterly investment has increased 182% in terms of capital and doubled in terms of financing rounds.
1. The Energy/Electricity Generation category received the largest amount of investment in Q3 09 with $316 million
2. Industry-specific products and services for cleantech generated strong VC interest in Q3 09 with $289 million invested
3. Environmental Products and Services was the third-largest category in Q3 09,raising $120 million.
4. The Alternative fuels category, consisting entirely of biofuels deals, grew by 58% to $71 million.
Interest in biofuels among large oil corporations was evident in Q3 09, with the $25 million investment in LS9, Inc., a developer of renewable fuels and sustainable chemicals based in San Francisco, by a syndicate of investors that included Chevron Technology Ventures. Exxon Mobil announced it was investing $600 million in a partnership with Synthetic Genomics Inc. of La Jolla, CA, to develop commercially viable biofuels from algae. BP Plc and Martek Biosciences Corp. are partnering to study the use of algae to convert sugar into biodiesel.
See more: Reuters
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Algal Biomass Organization Applauds Senator Boxer for Inclusion of Algae-based Fuels in Climate Bill
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The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), the leading trade association for Algae fuel industry, applauds the leadership of Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, for including the RFS amendment offered by Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, and Senator Tom Carper in the Chairman`s mark of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
The amendment supports advanced green biofuel feedstocks, and recognizes the potential of algae to reduce CO2 emissions, create jobs and increase the nation`s energy independence.
The "Advanced Green Biofuels" amendment establishes greenhouse gas reduction targets for the fuels produced from the renewable biomass and clarifies that algae and other renewable biomass which meet these standards qualify under the RFS.
See more: Reuters
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Old Dominion University (ODU) Studying to Convert Algae to Biofuel
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Several partners are proposing to develop a $50 million algae farm on city-owned land where the slimy, aquatic growth would be converted into biodiesel fuel and other forms of alternative energy.
Much of the proposal, however, hinges on federal stimulus money from the U.S. Department of Energy. ODU and its partners are asking for $46 million from a $100 million pool set aside by the Obama administration for advancing algae-to-biodiesel technology.
A decision about the funding is expected as soon as next month, and by the end of the year at the latest, project sponsors said.The Virginia Beach proposal includes three private companies that are committing money and support for the bigger farm, and involves researchers from ODU, George Washington University, Jacksonville State University, the University of Michigan and South Dakota State University, according to a prospectus.
Pat Hatcher, a professor leading the initiative said “There’s a lot of interest in this technology, and we have lots of avenues open to us.”
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
The Algae Fuel Prize of $10 million by Del Mar-based Prize Capital
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The Algae Fuel Prize, offered by Del Mar-based Prize Capital, was announced at this week's Algae Biomass Summit, a meeting in San Diego of experts in using algae for fuel, food, purifying water and other purposes.
The goal is to offer $10 million, said Lee Stein, Prize Capital's founder.
Stein said the actual amount may change, because the rules and guidelines for the prize aren't final. But the main goal is fixed, he said, which is to add a new source of fuel and not to compete with food crops, as with ethanol made from corn.
"We want to work with third-generation biofuels: Land that cannot be used for food," Stein said. "That was our primary concern."
Stein made the announcement at the close of Wednesday's session of the Algae Biomass Summit, briefly taking the stage to show a video about the prize and explain its goals. A sponsor for the prize will be announced soon, he told the audience.
The Algae Fuel Prize's rules specify that the winner must produce 3,000 net gallons of diesel fuel per acre at a cost of no more than $3 per gallon. The net quantity is obtained by subtracting the gallons of fuel used in producing the algae from the yield. Prize Capital will also work to arrange buyers for the fuel.
More information is available at www.prizecapital.net.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science Receives $3 Million to Turn Algae into Biodiesel
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Virginia Institute of Marine Science is the recipient of $3 million — seed money from StatoilHydro, a Norwegian energy company — to convert algae from the York River into biodiesel fuel. The plan is to cut the amount of harmful nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, entering the Chesapeake Bay and create an alternative source of energy.
"What we really want to do is turn pollution into fuel," said J. Emmett Duffy, a VIMS professor leading the program.
VIMS will pump water from the river near its Gloucester Point campus onto a large conveyor belt. A plastic screen on the belt will trap the nutrients while the water is recycled back into the river.
The nutrients, which sit on the belt for at least a week, turn into algae before researchers harvest and store it. From there, researchers take the algae into a lab where oils are extracted and converted into biodiesel.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Arizona Public Service Co (APS) Gets $70.5 M for Emissions Study
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Arizona Public Service Co. will get $70.5 million in stimulus funds to study cutting greenhouse-gas emissions from coal power plants that contribute to global warming, the Energy Department said Tuesday. APS will use the money for a 60-acre research project at the Cholla Power Plant between Holbrook and Winslow on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona's Navajo County.
"This project allows us to research some of the issues with using coal and brings economic activity to a part of Arizona where the unemployment rate is about 13 percent," Gotfried said.
The complex research will study cleaner ways to make electricity from coal and how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide from coal plants that is released into the atmosphere. APS researchers will use heat and pressure to convert coal to syngas, a fuel that can be used much like natural gas. That process also will create char, which, like coal, can be burned for electricity.
APS will attempt to capture the carbon-dioxide emissions from burning char to make environmentally friendly liquid fuel.
"The CO{-2} from burning the char will be food for algae," Gotfried said.
APS plans to raise algae in large ponds or tanks, feeding the algae CO{-2} like a fertilizer. Algae contain oils that can be pressed out and converted to biodiesel for vehicles, and some algae also can be made into ethanol. The utility will test if algae can be grown fast enough to be raised for fuel.
The $70.5 million grant is part of $1.52 billion in the stimulus act earmarked for research into ways to capture and store carbon from power plants and other industrial facilities such as cement plants.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Solazyme to Supply 20,000 G Algae Diesel for Navy Ships
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Solazyme Inc. said that it had a contract from the Defense Department for 20,000 gallons of algae-derived diesel fuel for testing and certification that could be used in Navy ships
"The military wants new fuels that meet the old petroleum specifications and reduce carbon dramatically and can be produced domestically at the same time," said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme Inc.
"This is an important first step with algae oil derived alternative fuels," said Kim Huntley, director of the Defense Energy Support Center, which awarded the Solazyme contract. "Not only are we helping the Navy meet its energy security and alternative fuels objectives, this contract also demonstrates the continued successful partnering of DESC with our warfighter customers to help them meet their emergent energy needs."
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
PetroAlgae Expects Initial Revenues This Year
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Algae business potential is growing rapidly. PetroAlgae does not make fuel from algae, but sells licenses -- blueprints for how to make oil from algae, one of the oldest life forms on the planet. PetroAlgae says its process of maximizing the flow of light to organisms pushes algae to grow between two to three times faster than it would in its natural state.
The licenses also show buyers how to make protein from algae into animal feed or a human nutrition supplement. The company says selling the protein will offset infrastructure costs and help the fuel be competitive with the price of crude oil at current prices and even lower.
The company is in talks with several national oil companies, mostly from Latin America and Asia, some power generators and agricultural companies, Scott said.
PetroAlgae's stock price spiked from $8 to over $32 and down again recently after oil major Exxon Mobil signed a $600 million research and development deal with a competing algae company last month.
Source: Reuters.com
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He said Aurora has built a pilot facility “between a 7-Eleven and the beach” near Melbourne, Fla., and that for the past several months the new algae strains have been producing a gallon of biodiesel a day in an Olympic pool-sized pond.
Mr. Walsh said the challenge for Aurora is to commercialize its scientific advance. The company plans to have a demonstration plant capable of producing 1,000 gallons of fuel a day in operation by the second quarter of 2010. A full-scale production facility is to follow in 2011.
Aurora has raised $25 million from investors that include Oak Investment Partners, Noventi Ventures and Gabriel Venture Partners. Mr. Walsh said that financing will be sufficient to see Aurora through the construction of the demonstration algae biodiesel plant.
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Department of Commerce allocates $2.2 Million Fund for the construction of a Renewable Energy Resource Center
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono today announced the awarding of $2,264,000 in U.S. Department of Commerce grant funding for the construction of a Renewable Energy Resource Center and the design of a municipal parking lot on the island of Maui.
The federal funding will be distributed through the DOC's Economic Development Administration.
This EDA investment funds construction of the Renewable Energy Resource Center in Kihei. The Center will help diversify Maui's economy by supporting development of renewable energy businesses designed to use Hawaii's abundant natural resources. The renewable sources include solar, wind, and wave energy, as well as algae and other crops used to generate biofuels.
This project is funded in part through EDA's Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which is intended to foster the green economy by promoting economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Exxon Leading in Algae Investment
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BP recently announced an investment of $10 million in a new initiative to develop sugar to biodiesal methodologies. Essentially that means figuring out a way to convert sugar into fuel efficiently using microbial organisms like algae.When it comes to algae though, Exxon has taken a strong lead with its investment of $600 million to develop hydrocarbons using algae processing.BP claims that overall the company has invested over $1.5 billion in biofuels research but doesn’t provide any breakout of where that money went.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Heathgate Resources Held Talks about Algae Fuels with the State Government in South Australia
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Premier Mike Rann met for an hour yesterday with Neal Blue, the chief executive officer of General Atomics, which owns the Beverley uranium deposits in SA's Far North. Mr Rann said SA was now poised to become a national leader in refining biosynthetic fuels, with the potential to create thousands of jobs.
Mr Blue said his company was interested in developments in microalgal biofuels in SA because there was huge potential for their use in the future – especially in the aviation industry. The Federal Government recently granted $2.7 million to an SA-based consortium to develop a pilot-scale biorefinery for sustainable microalgal biofuels and added products.
The pilot project – run by the Algal Fuels Consortium which includes the SA Research and Development Institute, Flinders University and Sancon Recycling – will be located at Torrens Island.
Labels: Algae-Aviation-Fuel, Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Investments
MBD Energy Plans to Expand its Facility
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Managing director Andrew Lawson says testing at James Cook University in Townsville suggests for every two tonnes of carbon captured, the MBD technology can produce almost 1 tonne of algae, of which one-third can be made into oil products and two-thirds into meal. With meal sales about $400/tonne (rival soymeal product sells at about $780/tonne) and oil selling at $800/tonne, that equates to about $570 of revenue from each tonne of algae, or more than $250 for each tonne of CO2 captured.
The first 1ha display plant of its "fuel synthesiser" is to be installed at the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station in the next six months. If the concept is proved over six to 12 months, MBD will move ahead to build a commercial pilot plant over 80ha.
That will require a $25 million investment, but Lawson estimates it will produce earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of $15 million. If that project succeeds, the facility can quickly be scaled up to a $300m demonstration facility.
Australia's largest power station, NSW's Eraring Energy, and a large-scale emitter in Queensland have signed agreements with MBD to instal display plants over the next 12 months.
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The Southern Utes - A major investor in Solix Biofuels
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With the twin goals of making fuel from algae and reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases, a start-up company Solix, co-founded by a Colorado State University professor Bryan wilson recently introduced a strain of algae that loves carbon dioxide into a water tank next to a natural gas processing plant. The water is already green-tinged with life.
The Southern Utes, one of the nation’s wealthiest American Indian communities is a major investor in this Company.
The Colorado State professor, Bryan Willson, who teaches mechanical engineering and is a co-founder of the three-year-old company Solix Biofuels, said working with the Southern Utes on their land afforded his company advantages that would have been impossible in mainstream corporate America. The tribe contributed almost one-third of the $20 million in capital raised by Solix, free use of land and more than $1 million in equipment.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
LiveFuels Hopes its Algae Biofuel Ready for Launch by 2010
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LiveFuels CEO Lissa Morgenthaler-Jones describes her San Carlos, Calif.-based company’s process as 'we cook them and squeeze them' for turning algae-fed fish into oil for fuel using heat and high pressure. It’s a gruesome way of harvesting pond scum than the mechanical equipment employed by other startups working on algal fuels, but it might be cheaper.
According to a spokesman for LiveFuels, which was founded in 2006 and announced the kickoff of pilot operations at a 45-acre open pond test facility in Brownsville, Texas, this week.
Some investors think LiveFuels has a good shot at making the technology and economics work. The company raised $10 million in May 2007 from David Gelbaum’s quiet Quercus Trust. At the time, LiveFuels reportedly hoped to have its biofuel ready for launch by 2010. NYT’s Green Inc. reports that the company is still trying to bring down costs, and will spend what’s left of that $10 million on additional research and development.
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation-Open-Pond, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
BP Invests $10 million in Martek Algae Collaboration
You are at: Oilgae Blog.BP Amoco Plc is collaborating with Martek Biosciences Corp., a company with over 20 years of experience growing algae for the nutritional supplement market, in the latest bid to bring large-scale algae biofuels to commercialization. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, the two firms will work together to establish proof of concept for large-scale, cost-effective microbial biodiesel production through fermentation, according to the joint announcement.
The two companies announced the signing of a joint development agreement on Aug. 11. BP will contribute up to $10 million in the initial phase of the collaboration, which leverages Martek’s expertise in microbial oil production and BP’s production and commercialization experience in biofuels. Martek will perform the biotechnology research and development while BP will contribute to its integration within the biofuels value chain.
"Martek is pleased to partner with BP's Alternative Energy team, to combine our unique algae-based technologies and intellectual property for the creation of sustainable and affordable technology for microbial biofuel production," said Steve Dubin, Martek CEO. "BP's global leadership and commitment to alternative energy solutions complements Martek's own commitment to responsible and sustainable products and production."
Floridas Investment on Algae Fuel Research Highlighted in Farm to Fuel Summit
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Governor Charlie Crist encouraged investment in Florida’s renewable energy industry while addressing attendees in Orlando at the 2009 Farm to Fuel Summit, hosted by Commissioner Charles Bronson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Governor Crist praised investors and producers of ethanol and biofuels for their efforts to develop renewable energy.
In addition to funding research related to the production of ethanol using crops such as sorghum and citrus peel waste Florida is also investing in projects that focus on farming techniques that minimize the need for water and fertilizer.
Florida’s recent investments include research on biodiesel production from advanced energy crops such as jatropha and algae. Governor Crist highlighted that careful study of these second generation biofuels is part of an integrated solution for meeting Florida's future energy needs that also includes improving fuel economy, designing communities around smart growth principles and promoting mass transportation and conservation.
OriginOil’s Comments on Exxon's $600M Investment on Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.OriginOil Inc, the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, commented on today’s announcement by Exxon Mobil (ExxonMobil) of a long-term partnership with algae research company, Synthetic Genomics.
In other remarks, Riggs Eckelberry said: “Our own focus is on building the industrial platform for producing any type of algae and we welcome large-scale research into new strains.” The $600 million partnership between Exxon Mobil and Synthetic Genomics plans to genetically engineer new strains of algae.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Exxon to Invest Millions to Make Fuel from Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
The Oil giant Exxon Mobile to plans to announce an investment of $600 million in producing liquid transportation fuels from algae. The biofuel effort involves a partnership with Synthetic Genomics, a biotechnology company founded by the genomics pioneer J.Craig Venter.
“Algae is the ultimate biological system using sunlight to capture and convert carbon dioxide into fuel,” Dr. Venter said.
Algal biofuel, sometimes nicknamed oilgae by environmentalists, is a promising technology. Fuels derived from algae have molecular structures that are similar to petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and would be compatible with the existing transportation infrastructure, according to Exxon.
Exxon’s investment includes $300 million for in-house studies and “potentially more” than $300 million to Synthetic Genomics “if research and development milestones are successfully met,” Exxon said.
Source: The New York Times
The Pentagon Tries Algae Fuel For Military Vehicles
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The Pentagon is reportedly funding research that could result in some of its vehicles being powered by algae-based biofuel.
A Press report notes that the University of Utah has received government funds to develop a biofuel that would cost under $3 per gallon while providing up to 50 million gallons per year to help power military vehicles.The two companies in the San Diego area have also received contracts to develop a biofuel that is compatible with current military vehicles.
The algae is said to be a desirable biofuel component because it grows quickly and produces a substantial amount of fatty oils while also offering the potential to defray the military's annual $12 billion fuel bill.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Pike Research Report - Biofuels Markets and Technologies
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
The combined global biodiesel and ethanol markets will reach $247 billion in sales by 2020, up from $76 billion in 2010, Pike Research of Boulder said Monday.
Pike Research said it anticipates three key waves of biodiesel development over the next several years:
-- Fuels based on waste greases will reach market in 2010.
-- Jatropha-based fuels will begin having a significant impact on the market in 2014. Jatropha are plants native to Latin America that produced oil used to make biofuels in other countries.
-- Algae-based biodiesel will achieve commercial availability in 2012, Pike Research predicts, and will have a larger market impact beginning in 2016.
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Government to Fund Biofuel Companies
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Two Marlborough biofuel companies say a Government decision to provide grants to biofuel companies is a positive step for the industry.
The decision, announced on Tuesday as part of the 2009 budget, will see $36 million allocated to domestic biofuel companies over three years.
Manager Glenn Vile predicts New Zealand Extracts, a subsidiary of Mudhouse Wine Group and Aquaflow could benefit from the grant.
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Honeywell International is Driving its Business rapidly in India
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Global technology and manufacturing major Honeywell International is bullish on driving its business rapidly in India. With five manufacturing facilities across the country, Honeywell's Indian subsidiary is offering specialty materials for oil and gas refineries and petrochemical projects.
'We have also developed green diesel, which is a creation of a drop-in diesel fuel and different from bio-diesel. Our green diesel can be processed from jatropha plant or algae and need not be blended like bio-diesel. It is non-corrosive,' Honeywell's chief executive David Cote said.
Honeywell Technology Solutions president Krishna Mikkilineni said his team of engineers was working on developing critical technologies for global and Indian customers ranging from safe landing systems for aircraft to security solutions.
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related blogs about Honeywell International:
Continental Flight Takes Off on Algae & Jatropha Fuel
Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK)- Jet Fuel From Aquaflow’s Wild Algae
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Algae-biodiesel Entrepreneurs are Happy with EPA Changes
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Under the new rules, biodiesel made from soybeans has been deemed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only 22 %, while it must reduce those emissions by 50 percent if it wants to count toward the RFS 1-billion-gallon goal by 2012.There are emission goals for ethanol, but existing corn ethanol plants have been exempted but existing biodiesel refineries did not get the same break.
Algae-biodiesel business are happy with the proposed EPA changes. Dr. John Scott, chairman of PetroAlgae, said that this is a good first step toward building America’s clean energy economy. He also said that for further developments, the two most critical things are, investing in micro-crops like algae that are more productive and making sure we back solutions that are commercially viable and sustainable.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
$10 Million Algae Fuel Prize by Prize Capital
You are at: Oilgae Blog.As part of the final planning process, Prize Capital founder and chairman Lee Stein convened a workshop of 26 leaders to draw up rules and other criteria for what Stein calls the $10 million Algae Fuel Prize. The group met for much of the day at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
In the algae competition, Prize Capital proposes to:
—Create a prize focused in an area that has been fully vetted, so that the competition can both accelerate innovation and create investment opportunities.
—Form a master limited partnership to fund teams.
—Reach agreements with teams that accept funding that include terms for subsequent investment rounds as competitors succeed in advancing their technologies.
—Allow teams to opt out of the investment rights.
Investors will own a percentage of equity in all direct competitors supported by Prize Capital. The firm says its investment model mitigates risk and enables investors to share in the success of multiple companies beyond the competition by spurring the development of commercial applications from multiple teams, and not just the winner.
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Harrison Dillon of Solazyme weighs in on the hurdles of Algae Fuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Harrison Dillon - "Speaking from the perspective of our microbial renewable oil production technology platform and advanced biofuels, the majority of the true technical hurdles for us have already been crossed. The business plan for Solazyme has been to fit into the existing multitrillion-dollar liquid transportation fuel infrastructure; for example, we are using standard industrial fermentation technology and standard oil refining technology to manufacture ASTM-compliant fuels that can be distributed through standard gas stations into standard, unmodified vehicles. The goal in front of us now is to continue to optimize and customize strains and processes tailored to specific products as well as to continue driving down the cost of our oil production process. Solazyme's obstacles are more along the lines of classic commercialization process development than attempting to demonstrate proof of concept."
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Algae Company BioCentric Energy Holdings Provides Update
Dennis Fisher stated "we are building a new site that will carry all the hard assets (photobioreactors, nutrients, and nutrient management, automation, harvest, and VPN controls) and consultation to assist anyone with the desire to produce algae in a closed loop environment... although the site will continue to evolve, the first release of the shopping cart portion is expected to be completed by May 10th"
-- Today, BEHL brought Dale Baeten, of Investing In Stock Market, Inc., onboard as BioCentric Investor Relations
-- On April 28th Dennis Shen, President of BioCentric Algae, will be a guest speaker at the Algae World in Rotterdam -- afterwards Mr. Shen will then become one of the panelists for a roundtable discussion on the "Implementation of the Commercialization of Algae" Forum
-- On April 29th Mr. Shen will go to Berlin to meet with Mohammed Janus (Nobel Peace Prize winner in Economics) associate and author of Mr. Janus' best-selling autobiography, Peter Spiegel of Genesis Institute regarding Grameen Bank support for third world countries working with BEHL and the UN to implement the Algae Pro Photobioreactors for high value nutrition
-- On April 30th Mr. Fisher will be attending the National Algae Forum in Houston, Texas, where Mr. Fisher, on May 1st will release details of the Algae Pro Photobioreactor in his speech titled "Cost and Revenue of Algae Production"
-- On May 2nd Mr. Fisher will meet with Helmut Gass of Eccowerks in Port Arthur, Texas, to discuss a possible joint venture agreement
-- On May 2nd Mr. Shen will be meeting with the BioCentric Algae Scientists in Prague to begin the process of identifying which proprietary research will become our next co-owned patents in the USA
-- On May 3rd Dennis Fisher will meet with J.D. Wilshusen, of the Permian Sea Algae Farms in Imperial, Texas, to finalize a possible Joint Venture Agreement (presently there has been a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties) to build the Algae Pro Photobioreactor at their location
-- On May 4th and 5th Mr. Fisher is scheduled to meet with two different universities in the southwest to ascertain which institution (or possibly both) will receive grants from BEHL to work with our scientists on algae photobioreactor enhancements
Dennis Fisher, CEO for BioCentric Energy Inc. (BEHL), stated today, "This communication is to provide an update on our Plan of Action. I know most companies would spread this information out over the next few weeks but with all that is happening I thought my fiduciary responsibility was to keep our supporters aware. I personally would like to take this opportunity to thank all those supporters of BEHL on our climb to success."
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Photobioreactor
California Trusts Algae for GHG Emission Reduction
Today, the Air Resources Board adopted a regulation that will implement Governor Schwarzenegger's Low Carbon Fuel Standard calling for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from California's transportation fuels by ten percent by 2020. The new regulation is aimed at diversifying the variety of fuels used for transportation. It will boost the market for alternative-fuel vehicles and achieve 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2020
"The new standard means we can begin to break our century-old dependence on petroleum and provide California with greater energy security" said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "The drive to force the market toward greater use of alternative fuels will be a boon to the state's economy and public health - it reduces air pollution, creates new jobs and continues California's leadership in the fight against global warming."
According to ARB analyses, to produce the more than 1.5 billion gallons of biofuels needed, over 25 new biofuel facilities will have to be built and will create more than 3,000 new jobs, mostly in the state's rural areas. Production of fuels within the state will also keep consumer dollars local by reducing the need to make fuel purchases from beyond its borders.
Seeking to enhance private sector and federal investment into alternative fuel production and distribution, California is also providing funding to assist in the early development and deployment of the most promising low-carbon fuels. The Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, AB 118 (Nunez, 2007), managed by the California Energy Commission, will provide approximately $120 million dollars per year over seven years to deploy the cleanest fuels and vehicles.
Regulators expect the new generation of fuels to come from the development of technology that uses algae, wood, agricultural waste such as straw, common invasive weeds such as switchgrass, and even from municipal solid waste.
The standard is also expected to drive the availability of plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel-cell powered cars while promoting investment in electric charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Investments
Defense Officials Take Active Interest in Green Energy
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Alan R. Shaffer, director of defense research and engineering at the Pentagon, acknowledges that $300 million - although a lot of money - is a modest sum to invest in alternative energy.
But, Shaffer told The Post, the money will help speed up work already under way. In one project, the Pentagon is developing lightweight photo-voltaic mats that can draw solar power to run equipment. In another, officials are working on mobile mini-refineries that turn waste generated in the field - recyclables and plain old garbage - into biodiesel.
Other ventures, such as converting algae into a type of jet fuel and refining hybrid engines for use by military vehicles, also hold promise. Officials say some efforts, such as improving the application of spray-foam insulation for tents in Iraq, have already proven successful, saving millions of dollars in energy costs.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae fuel wins in first annual Business Plan Competition at the George Washington University
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The winner was Keen Guides, a business that creates customized video tours for museums, parks, historic sites, downtowns and other cultural places of interest.
Tour users can download video tours to their personal media players, or pick up a preloaded player at the venue. Keen Guides' revenue will come from selling subscriptions to cultural institutions. The videos allow for sign language and closed captions for people with disabilities, and Keen also plans to make the videos available in various languages.
Second place went to Health Day By Day, and included a $6,000 prize. Day By Day created a Web service and special pill container to help the elderly remember to take their medication. The business is the brainchild of Traudi Rose, a registered nurse and MBA student at GW.
Third place went to Kalpa Energy, whose plan is to make biodiesel from algae. Kalpa Energy hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy.
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Algae - Solution for EU's Hunger for Biofuel
Friends of the Earth is an international network of non-profit organisations campaigning for sustainable societies and Oxfam France is engaged in a global non-governmental movement working for a just world.
According to the coalition, the figures speak for themselves: 232 kilos of maize are needed to produce 50 litres of ethanol - roughly enough to fill an average car tank, or enough to provide the amount of calories a child needs in a year.
Part of the EU’s comprehensive ‘‘Climate and Energy Package’’ aimed at cutting greenhouse gases and cutting energy consumption, the directive requires all EU members to rely on biofuels for 10 percent of their transport fuel needs by 2020.
‘‘We have won the battle of ideas, but lost the legal battle,’’ Ambroise Mazal, who heads CCFD’s side of the campaign against biofuels, told IPS. ‘‘Many European officials have realised the adverse effects of biofuels but nobody dared amend the ‘Package’ the 27 EU member states had agreed to.
Responding to European hunger for biofuel, many African countries have expanded single-crop farming surfaces. But only large businesses have the resources and capital to reach the critical size that allows for economies of scale which make the venture profitable.
Smallholders, which in countries like Benin account for the majority of land use, and up to 80 percent of employment opportunities, do not benefit from the biofuel windfall. In addition, land, water and other limited resources are being diverted from scarce food-producing crops.
Several international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, have acknowledged in recent years that the increasing demand for biofuel crops has catastrophic social, economic and nutritional impacts on developing countries and their already tense food resources.
‘‘The next step announced by the EU is the commissioning of a study on the comprehensive impacts of biofuels in developing countries, to be handed in by 2014,’’ states Ambroise Mazal. ‘‘But it doesn’t seem like the European Commission has any corrective actions in mind, even by then.’’
I believe that algae will be the only solution for this problem. what do you people think?
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Canadian government funds eight carbon-capture technology projects
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The federal government has put up $140 million for eight projects aimed at refining and proving carbon capture and storage technology.
The Great Plains Synfuels plant in North Dakota pipes its CO2 to the Estevan oilfield, where it is injected into the ground to create pressure that will allow the extraction of more oil.
Ken Caldeira, a climate scientist with the Carnegie Institution in Stanford, Calif., said - the problem with this technology is that liquefying coal, then burning the synthetic oil that results, emits 25 to 50 per cent more CO2 per energy unit than petroleum does.
Scientists have known for a while now that some strains of algae can be converted to biodiesel fuel, but the process was slow and expensive.
Now they’ve found that a particular metal oxide can be the catalyst for quicker, cheaper conversion of the algae.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Investments
Iowa Approves $2 Million for Algae Fuel Project
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Iowa energy officials have approved more than $2 million for an effort to grow algae at a southwest Iowa ethanol plant and use the material to make fuel.
The 18-member Iowa Power Fund Board approved the $2,085,000 grant to assist in the commercialization of algae production technology.
The project by BioProcessAlgae LLC, is a joint effort by Omaha, Neb.-based Green Plains Renewable Energy and three other companies.
Scott Poor, corporate counsel for Green Plains, said the research and development grant will fund an algae production project at the company's Shenandoah, Iowa, ethanol plant.
"There is a great deal of synergy between ethanol production and algae production," he said. "The algae can utilize the carbon dioxide, water and heat from the ethanol plant, so some of the key inputs for algae production are already available."
Kevin Lynch, the chief executive of BioProcessAlgae, said the company will test its photobioreactor design in hopes of commercializing the algae production process.
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Algae Biofuel Facility in Houston
You are at: Oilgae Blog.As director of the National Algae Association, he is a leading advocate of curbing U.S. dependence on oil by harnessing the power of tiny, green waterborne plants known to most as pond scum.
In the U.S., there are some 20 small algae producers, and the number is growing, Cohen said. Russell Industries, a Nevada holding company run from Houston, may join the group soon. This year, the firm plans to open an algae plant at a still-undecided Houston location, CEO Rick Berman said.
It will produce algae oil to be sold to biodiesel refineries and also market its biomass waste to cosmetic, pharmaceutical and bioplastics industries, he said.Berman likes the idea of having the first such facility in Houston, but is also confident it will make money. “We’re not doing this because we have nothing better to do,” he said.
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Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd Use Algae to Tap Up CO2 from Flue Gases
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The company has been invited to submit a full proposal to the European Commission's Research Dictorate by May 28, 2009, with the hope of attracting up to £2.5 million R&D funding.
The Algae Technology and Carbon Capture project could initially capture 10-20% of the energy-from-waste plant's emissions, with the algae making use of nutrients from the plant's potash to produce between 5,000 and 10,000 tonnes of biomass fuel a year.
The firm's managing director Chris Williams told New Energy Focus yesterday that ultimately, the project could develop technology capable of capturing higher proportions of emissions, producing enough biomass fuel for an entire dedicated biomass power station.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
AlgaeVenture Systems Brings Algae Energy Into Spotlight
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The company focuses on manufacturing and installing simplified greenhouse ponds near power plants, wastewater plants, farm waste facilities, food processing plants and other locations where the geography and climate support algae growth year-round.
"Algae farmers can grow food, feed or fuel, and can change crops and be ready for harvest in less than 20 days," Youngs said. "Algae can protect fuel supplies because it can be grown virtually anywhere in the United States, and can benefit national security by decentralizing the fuel supply and reducing our dependence on foreign oil."
AlgaeVenture Systems' technology - developed by studying processes that exist in nature - utilizes a variety of methods of moving water, including capillary effect, cohesion, absorption and transpiration pull - the method used by trees and plants to move water from their roots to the highest growth, often hundreds of feet straight up.
"The process is counterintuitive," Youngs said, "because with so much water and so little algae, it is natural to want to move the algae. But moving water instead is very efficient, and all water is recycled."
AlgaeVenture Systems' prototype is scalable and portable, and can be custom made to a customer's specifications. While designed specifically for microalgae, the invention is applicable to several other separating and dewatering applications.
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Team Algal Scientific Wins Inaugural Clean Energy Prize
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The competition was established by DTE Energy and the University of Michigan along with sponsors, Masco Corporation Foundation and The Kresge Foundation, to encourage entrepreneurship in Michigan and the development of clean energy technology.
Team Algal Scientific Corp., comprised of business and engineering students from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, earned the top prize of $65,000.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Venice's Seaport Plans For a Power Plant Fueled By Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Venice's seaport plans to become self-sufficient in its energy needs by building a power plant fueled by algae, in what would be the first facility of its kind in Italy, the port authority said.
The plant will be operative in two years and produce 40 megawatts of electricity, Venice's port authority said, adding that an emissions-free energy source would help preserve the historic lagoon city's delicate ecological balance.
In Venice, the algae will be cultivated in laboratories and put in plastic cylinders where water, carbon dioxide, and sunshine trigger photosynthesis. The resulting biomass will be treated further to produce a fuel to turn turbines.The carbon dioxide produced in the process is to be fed back to the algae, resulting in zero emissions from the plant.
The port needs about 7 megawatts to satisfy its energy needs, so the excess energy could be supplied to ships docked at the harbor, it said.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
San Antonio goes green by growing Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Rather than punching holes into the ground to find petroleum, Murray envisions a shift to commercial production of native algae species and processing that harvest into biodiesel, which then would power the massive trucks that roar through San Antonio along the NAFTA corridor from Mexico.
Murray and his students are in the early stages of their project, which is beginning by collecting water samples and identifying the algal species that thrive in this area. There are at least 20,000 known species of algae in the world, he said.
"First we have to characterize the algae and pick the most robust strains for oil," he said "The next step is to put them into production and harvest them as a crop."
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"Why aren’t VCs putting money into pond scum?" Michael Weaver
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
For all the hype surrounding algae biofuel, the moneymen still aren’t ready to invest. At a panel at the WSJ Eco:nomics conference, top venture capitalists John Doerr, Vinod Khosla, and Bryant Tong explained what they like (smart-grid technology) and what they don’t (algae).
The algae discussion was prompted by a question from Michael Weaver, whose company Bionovitas has made advances, he says, in bolstering the yield and cost-competitiveness of algae. Why, he asked, aren’t the big VCs putting money into pond scum when every other clean tech seems fair game?
All three said they’ve looked at dozens of algae biofuels plans in recent years; Mr. Khosla says he’s looked at more than 100. None have invested a dime so far.
For Mr. Doerr of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, the problem is algae itself. To get better economics, you need to grow the stuff in cheap, open-air ponds, not in fancy bioreactors. But that is rough on algae and limits yields. Mr. Tong, of Nth power, says both the economics and the timeline of algae biofuels are still ugly at this point.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
High Energy Requirements Make the Algal Biofuel Manufacturing Prohibitive
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Algal biodiesel will be subject to the Law of Receding Horizons, which simply means that energy sources that require high energy inputs will always see their point of economic viability pushed farther out as energy prices rise.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
1 Million Funding to Sapphire for Algae Fuel Plant in New Mexico
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Sapphire Energy has selected New Mexico as a prime location for it's year-round algae growth and refinement project because of its brackish water aquifers, sunlight with low humidity and carbon dioxide levels, company spokesman Tim Zenk said Wednesday.
The fast growing plant relies on photosynthesis and salt water and is grown in long "runways" like dirt irrigation canals.
Crops are rotated about every 15 days and produce about 3,800 gallons of oil per acre -- a yield 10 times that of corn or soy biofuel production, Zenk said.
Nearly $1 million in funding for the project is included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill expected to go before the Senate in coming days, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Tom Udall. The funding is a good start to get the project underway in the Portales area.
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Shell awards prize to Scottish Bioenergy for Algae-to-biodiesel Process
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures has been awarded the £40,000 ($57,000) Climate Change Innovation Prize from Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s Shell Springboard program. Based in St. Cyrus, Scotland, the company builds, sells and operates photobioreactors for capturing carbon dioxide emissions to grow algae feedstock for biodiesel production.
Scottish Bioenergy recently completed successfully testing a small-scale version of its photobioreactor at the Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, Scotland; the distillery was built in 1775 and the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Carbon dioxide from the distillery’s boiler exhaust was captured and percolated through the photobioreactor. The system also eliminated chemicals and copper from the waste exhaust.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor
QuantumSphere Awarded Grant for Algae Biofuels Nanocatalysts by California Energy Commission
You are at: Oilgae Blog.California Energy Commission Awards Grant for Proposal That Would Turn Biomass Blooms in the Salton Sea Into Methane, Hydrogen, and Synthetic Gasses
QuantumSphere, Inc., a leading developer of advanced catalyst materials, high-performance electrode systems, and related process chemistries for portable power and clean-tech applications, today announced that it was awarded a research grant from the California Energy Commission to develop a process using nanocatalysts to convert biomass into biofuels.
The grant was awarded under the commission's Energy Innovations Small Grant program (EISG) and will fund the one-year development of an algae biogasification process that utilizes nanometals as catalysts for the purposes of turning vegetation and similar biomass materials into methane, hydrogen, or other synthetic gases that can be used for transportation and other energy needs. QuantumSphere will build a small-scale platform over the next 12 months to demonstrate the effectiveness of the process.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Algae project dies at Hutchinson City Council
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Several city staff members wanted permission to seek a $40,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to study whether algae could be produced using the city wastewater. Algae, they said, has the potential to reduce the city’s annual $500,000 bill for chemicals to treat phosphates in wastewater.
The issue for a majority of the council is the $35,000 the city would put into the study. Leaders of the city-owned Creekside Compost agreed to pay half of that to determine if algae had potential as a raw material for compost. But Hutchinson Utilities leaders declined to participate to learn if the algae could be a biomass fuel source.
Council Member Jim Haugen didn’t like spending the money when the city is facing a major loss of state aid. His motion to table the algae issue indefinitely was supported by Bill Arndt and Chad Czmowski.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae project dies at Hutchinson City Council
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Growing algae was no more popular Tuesday with the majority of the Hutchinson City Council than it was earlier this month. It is unlikely to show up on the council’s agenda again anytime soon.
Several city staff members wanted permission to seek a $40,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to study whether algae could be produced using the city wastewater. Algae, they said, has the potential to reduce the city’s annual $500,000 bill for chemicals to treat phosphates in wastewater.
The issue for a majority of the council is the $35,000 the city would put into the study. Leaders of the city-owned Creekside Compost agreed to pay half of that to determine if algae had potential as a raw material for compost. But Hutchinson Utilities leaders declined to participate to learn if the algae could be a biomass fuel source.
Council Member Jim Haugen didn’t like spending the money when the city is facing a major loss of state aid. His motion to table the algae issue indefinitely was supported by Bill Arndt and Chad Czmowski.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Shell Awards Prize For Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures has been awarded the £40,000 ($57,000) Climate Change Innovation Prize from Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s Shell Springboard program. Based in St. Cyrus, Scotland, the company builds, sells and operates photobioreactors for capturing carbon dioxide emissions to grow algae feedstock for biodiesel production.
Scottish Bioenergy recently completed successfully testing a small-scale version of its photobioreactor at the Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, Scotland; the distillery was built in 1775 and the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Carbon dioxide from the distillery’s boiler exhaust was captured and percolated through the photobioreactor. The system also eliminated chemicals and copper from the waste exhaust.
The next phase of the project will be to build a photobioreactor at the distillery that’s capable of converting 20 metric tons of carbon dioxide into 6,000 liters (1,600 gallons) of biodiesel per year, according to The Edrington Group, which is backing the Scottish Bioenergy venture. The final phase will be to build a commercial-scale photobioreactor, larger than what the Glenturret Distillery can accommodate, to produce more than 1.2 metric tons of biodiesel per day.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
Stimulus could exclude algae research
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
A pilot project at the Schwarze Pumpe coal power plant in Germany can capture and store its own carbon dioxide emissions
But as Congress inches closer to final passage of the bill, a small group of startup algae companies, which had been almost entirely off the Washington grid until late last year, are making a last-minute sprint to get lawmakers to broaden the funds to an up-and-coming form of carbon capture. The technology uses algae to turn the carbon emissions into biofuels, rather than storing them in underground geologic formations.
Advocates say the algae-based technology, which could find funding under broad wording in the Senate bill, could be ready to go commercial in three to four years with proper funding and would cost significantly less than underground storage, giving the United States a near-ready option to move away from foreign fossil fuels.
According to Credit Suisse, traditional geologic carbon capture research, covered in the House bill, needs at least $15 billion worth of investment and 10 more years of research before it will be ready to go commercial.
Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) are also now aware of the problem, lobbyists say.
“This is truly the story of the little engine that could. These are small companies that have never dealt with Washington. They have no PACs and few connections. They’re just entrepreneurs,” Moeller said. “I don’t think it was congressional intent to leave this technology out, but this is something members will eventually become outraged about.”
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Algae Carbon Capture - Potential Candidate for Economic Stimulus Bill
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The current Senate version leaves the door cracked open for a broader range of technologies, with at least $4.6 billion set aside for carbon capture and storage, including a portion for projects that demonstrate carbon capture from industrial sources. Algae technologies would be potential candidates for those funds.
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Biofuels Digest released summary of US venture capital investment in biofuels
You are at: Oilgae Blog.For 2008, VCs poured $680.2 million into US biofuels during 2008, including $437 million for cellulosic ethanol, $175.9 million in microalgae, $42 million in butanol and 25.3 million into systems and infrastructure providers. VC invested $110.5 million in the 4th quarter economic slowdown, after a lively $233 million in the 2nd quarter, high for the year.
Summary of the years transactions by company, date, amount and investor.
Petro Algae, $10 million, 12/26: Undisclosed investors
Coskata, $40 million, 12/5: Blackstone Cleantech Venture Partners, Sumitomo, Arancia, Khosla Ventures, Advanced Technology Ventures, Globespan Capital Partners and TriplePoint Capital.
Solix, $10.5 million, 11/12: I2BF Venture Capital, Bohemian Investments, Southern Ute Alternative Energy, Valero Energy and Infield Capital
Sapphire Energy, $100 million, 9/18: ARCH Venture Partners, Wellcome Trust, Venrock and Cascade Investment
Solazyme: $45.4 million, 8/27: Braemar Energy Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, The Roda Group and Harris & Harris Group .
Amyris Technologies, $90 million, 8/15: DAG Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, TPG Ventures, John Melo, Jeryl Hilleman, Kinkead Reiling, Jack Newman, Neil Renninger, Ralph Alexander, and Tamara Tompkins.
Aurora Bio Fuels, $20.0 million 6/10: Oak Investment Partners, Gabriel Venture Partners, and Noventi
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Cyanotech Sold 600 gallons of Algae Oil to Sapphire Energy
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
Biodiesel from Algae oilDuring the second half of 2008, both Cyanotech Corp. and Mera Pharmaceuticals saw half their revenue generated from bulk sales of algae. Previously, raw materials averaged less than 40 percent of total sales at both firms, company executives said.
The sales of raw materials are primarily to companies that produce biodiesel from algae.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae Technology - Early Investors Can Make Huge Profits
You are at: Oilgae Blog."Chevron and Shell have started exploring the possibilities of algae. There are also a few small companies that are working on the technology. Below are three penny stocks in the algae fuel business. All of these stocks have a market cap under $2 million, a share price under 10 cents, and can be found on the Pink Sheets and Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board:
* GreenShift Corporation (OTC:GERS)
* Nanoforce Inc. (PINK:NNFC)
* PetroSun Inc. (PINK:PSUD)
With the coming transition to alternative fuels, early investors in algae oil stand to claim some huge gains if this technology takes off… "
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Indian Oil Corporation Plans To Invest In Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.For instance, Indian Oil Corporation, the nation’s biggest marketer and refiner, doubled its R&D spend from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore this year. The company is conducting research in areas like biodegradable lubricants and oil refining technology. The company will shortly commission a pilot at its Faridabad centre, where it will install technology for coal gassification and production of ethanol from biomass.
“We are bullish on investing in forms of alternative and renewable energy. At our R&D centre, we are looking at developing eco-friendly lubricants and producing diesel from algae. We are also looking at tying up with international energy institutes,” said Anand Kumar, director, R&D, IOC. The company has recruited five scientists from international universities for its laboratories.
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Investing in Algae Company Stocks
You are at: Oilgae Blog.I read an interesting article on Algae Biofuel Stocks in WallStNation.com. They have reviewed the companies in Algae Energy Industry and published the following table on Dec-2008:
| Name | Symbol | Last price | Mkt cap | Volume |
| GreenShift Corporation | GERS | $0.0240* | 2.16M | 45,798.00 |
| NANOFORCE INC | NNFC | $0.0021* | 2.05M | 124,990.00 |
| VALCENT PRODUCTS INC | VCTPF | $0.31* | 15.46M | 202,515.00 |
| GREEN STAR PRODUCTS | GSPI | $0.023* | 5.56M | 338,750.00 |
| ORIGINOIL, INC. | OOIL | $0.30* | 43.03M | 39,755.00 |
| PETROSUN INC | PSUD | $0.0600* | 1.08M | 545,115.00 |
| Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) | RDS.A | $50.46 | 157.47B | 5.06M |
| Chevron Corporation | CVX | $78.09 | 158.66B | 21.91M |
Source:WallStNation.com
This week they have published the Stock performance of Eight Algae Energy companies of which Two companies seem to have a positive return
| Symbol | Dec 8th Price | Jan 9th Price | Gain/Loss | % Gain |
| GERS | $ 0.02 | $ 0.02 | $ (0.01) | -20.8% |
| VCTPF | $ 0.31 | $ 0.27 | $ (0.04) | -12.9% |
| GSPI | $ 0.02 | $ 0.02 | $ (0.00) | -2.2% |
| OOIL | $ 0.30 | $ 0.42 | $ 0.12 | 40.0% |
| PSUD | $ 0.06 | $ 0.06 | $ (0.00) | -5.0% |
| RDS.A | $ 50.46 | $ 53.98 | $ 3.52 | 7.0% |
| CVX | $ 78.09 | $ 72.82 | $ (5.27) | -6.7% |
Source:WallStNation.com
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
VC investment in green energy technologies in 2008 exceeded $7.7 billion
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Greentech Media Inc., the industry-leading online media company covering green technology news and analysis, released the most recent quarterly data showing that venture capital investment in green technologies exceeded $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008, a modest decrease from the previous quarter's total of $2.9 billion.
"Greentech VC investors remain optimistic on this sector and still have faith in the VC model. Investors continue to fund early stage deals as well as later stage deals," said Eric Wesoff, Senior Analyst at Greentech Media. "At least 30 of the 115 deals this quarter were seed stage or A rounds."
"VCs are now digging deep in the greentech sector and looking outside traditional technologies at previously underinvested areas like energy storage, energy efficiency, recycling, water, cleaner coal and green IT," he added.
Greentech Sector Total Q4 VC Funding Number of Deals
Solar $1,335.9M+ 29
Ethanol, Biofuels, Gasification $358.55M 18
Wind $218M+ 5
EE, DR and Smart Grid $208.5M 11
Batteries, FCs, Energy Storage $101.55M 14
Energy Project Development $96M 2
E-Waste and Recycling $74.8M 7
Green IT $37.3M+ 7
Automotive and transportation $29.03M 4
Green Agriculture $25M 2
Lighting $23.9M+ 7
New Coal Tech $9M+ 2
Misc. Greentech $8.6M 2
Green Buildings $4.0M 1
Geothermal $3.5M 1
Environmental Technology $3.9M 2
Water $1.5M 1
Q4 VC Totals $2540M 115
Source: Greentech Media
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Investors Move to Algae and Synthetic Biology Companies
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Green-tech venture capital funding soared last year, aided by megadeals in thin-film solar companies, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Cleantech Group.
During 2008, green-tech venture investments jumped to $8.4 billion, a 38 percent increase, according to the report.
Group's senior research director, Brian Fan, said in a statement:
Investors also continued to migrate from first-generation ethanol and biodiesel technologies to next-generation biofuels technologies, led by algae and synthetic biology companies. Other sectors with healthy investor interest included smart-grid companies, small-scale wind turbines, plastics recycling, green buildings, and agriculture technologies.
Following solar-energy firms in attracting VC dollars were companies specializing in biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, synthetic biology, and algae. The sector captured 11 percent of green-tech venture investments last year, while transportation companies, such as makers of electric vehicles, advanced batteries, and fuel cells, accounted for 9.5 percent.
Oilgae Comprehensive Report provides extensive details on profiles and info on over a hundred companies and commercial efforts in this domain.
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Algae Investment -Texas and New Mexico are making direct investments
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The story by Mr. DAVID WASHBURN on "Trying to Turn San Diego into the Green Houston" investigates the possibility of San Diego becoming the "green Houston" because of all the research and development into algae as a biofuel.
He says, The story went on to talk about how states are showing a willingness to take the lead in developing and supporting green industry rather than waiting around for the feds to show them the way, and cites California as an example. However, some of the folks I spoke with say they are worried that California and San Diego aren't doing enough to hold on to the algae industry being developed here.
For example, San Diego-based General Atomics is spending tens of millions of dollars (much of it coming from the U.S. Defense Department) on developing algae-based fuels, but its test facility is in Texas because the state government there provided matching funds to get the facility built.
"California is behind right now," said David Hazlebeck, the biofuels program manager for General Atomics. "Texas and New Mexico are making direct investments."
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
GreenShift Receives Grant for Algae Bioreactor Technology
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
The funding is provided through the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization, a unit of the Montana Department of Commerce. The objective of the grant award is to demonstrate the production of algae from an industrial source of carbon dioxide in Montana using GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending bioreactor technology. GreenShift is to provide matching funds of $125,000.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Photobioreactor
San Diego- Best for Building on Algae Biofuel Future
You are at: Oilgae Blog.San Diego, home to dozens of companies involved in solar or wind energy, would be a major player in energy economy if researchers succeed in turning algae into a commercially viable transportation fuel.
"It is the scientific challenge of our generation," said Stephen Mayfield, a cell biologist and associate dean at the Scripps Research Institute, referring to the need to cure America of its 200-billion-gallon-a-year oil addiction. "And algae is the answer."
And a top-notch research infrastructure, a thriving biotech sector and proximity to cheap land in Imperial County, where the plant could be grown on a large scale with plenty of sun, combine to give San Diego a strong foundation for building on algae's future.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Market Analysts Consider “Algae- A Promising Feedstock”
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The US biofuels industry is expected to undergo consolidation in 2009, with many of ethanol and biodiesel plants either closing or being absorbed by a few larger players who will dominate the market.
Some biodiesel industry representatives continue to argue that soy-based biofuels have little influence on food markets supply and pricing. However, commercial suppliers are increasingly looking toward such “second-generation” feedstocks as jatropha seeds and algae. Both of these potential fuel sources yield more oil than conventional feedstocks and exist outside the “fuel vs food” sphere.
Market analysts and producers consider algae an especially promising feedstock, as it can be grown virtually anywhere and, by some estimates, can yield 2,000 times more oil than soybean feedstocks. A commercially viable algae-based biodiesel process is still considered at least five years away.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Kai BioEnergy Prefers Native Algae than Genetically Modified
You are at: Oilgae Blog.As the co-founder of Kai BioEnergy, Larach has been tracking a nationwide surge of interest in algae-to-biofuel technology as he seeks venture funding for his company.
Larach says growing a particular species of algae in open ponds poses other problems. One is the challenge of eliminating “weed algae” that seems to infiltrate ponds. Another stems from often-strident ecological and political opposition to projects that call for cultivating a genetically modified algae in open ponds.
For the record, Larach says Kai BioEnergy has been using only native strains of algae in developing its biofuel technology. Still, he says, “Right now, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have a lot of issues, including EPA issues,” referring to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Michigan Governor,Granholm Signs Bills for Renewable Fuels Production and Use
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation that will advance the state's efforts to expand the production and use of renewable fuels in Michigan. The eleven bills were part of a series of recommendations from the state's Renewable Fuels Commission, established in 2006. The legislation includes five additional renewable energy renaissance zones, creation of a Renewable Fuels Fund to promote the production and use of alternative fuels, and new tax incentives for the purchase of equipment capable of harvesting biomass and the conversion of existing gasoline pumps to pumps capable of delivering ethanol, biodiesel or other forms of renewable fuels.
"The next generation of alternative fuel will be produced from non-food sources like wood waste, switchgrass, algae or other waste products," said Granholm. "Creating incentives to help ensure that the research and production of these next generation fuels are done here in Michigan will help ensure that the jobs created are here, too."
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae VC - Khosla Ventures, Hawaiian Electric to collaborate
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Khosla Ventures and Hawaiian Electric Co. have agreed to collaborate on evaluation and early deployment of green-energy technologies. The companies will work with entrepreneurs and start-up companies developing clean technology with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of promising new products and services.
Hawaiian Electric is partnering in an algae production project with Maui landowner Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and start-up HR BioPetroleum Inc. The plan is to create a commercial-scale algae facility adjacent to the Ma’alaea Power Plant. Hawaiian Electric is also a partner in the proposed BlueEarth Biofuels LLC 40 MMgy biodiesel processing plant on Maui, which is expected to be operational in early 2010. The goal is to use locally grown oil feedstocks such as algae, jatropha or palm.
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PetroAlgae Raises $10 Million in Common Stock Offering
You are at: Oilgae Blog.PetroAlgae Inc., a leading developer of systems to derive biodiesel fuels from algae, announced on Dec 26 that it has closed on a $10 million capital raise through the sale of approximately 3.2 million of newly-issued shares of common stock to two existing investors.
“The proceeds from this offering are expected to help finance the launch of PetroAlgae’s most significant milestone to-date, the commercialization of its first biodiesel product derived from algae,” said Dr. John Scott, Chairman of the Board of PetroAlgae Inc.
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Cynthia (C.J.) Warner, Sapphire Energy's New President
You are at: Oilgae Blog.According to Sapphire Energy, Warner will help the company to scale up its green crude technology, which produces a fuel it says is similar to light sweet crude that can be refined into gasoline, jet fuel and diesel replacements. The company is in the midst of a three-year pilot process with the goal of opening a commercial-scale production facility by 2011 at a site to be determined. The company recently established a test and research site in Las Cruces, N.M.
In September, Sapphire Energy said it completed a second round of funding, “substantially more than $100 million,” from existing and new investors, including Cascade Investments LLC, an investment holding company owned by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
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PetroAlgae retains investor relations firm
You are at: Oilgae Blog.PetroAlgae Inc. announced Dec. 22 that it has retained Los Angeles-based Investor Relations International to develop and lead its shareholder communications program. “Our company is at a pivotal point in its history as we move out of the R&D phase, and into the widespread production and marketing of our biodiesel products,” said John Scott, PetroAlgae director.
PetroAlgae anticipates raising investor awareness of its algae biodiesel technology via IRI’s “proprietary investor relations model,” which leverages “the distribution of new media technologies and traditional direct communications with its network of institutional and retail money managers,” PetroAlgae said.
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Sapphire Energy VC - ARCH Venture Partners Announced its new Partners
You are at: Oilgae Blog.ARCH Venture Partners announced the promotion of former Principals Kristina Burow and Paul Thurk to Partners of the firm.Kristina Burow joined ARCH in 2002 and works out of ARCH's San Francisco, CA office. Burow is a co-founder and director of Sapphire Energy and has participated in the development of several ARCH portfolio companies including Ensemble Discovery, Lycera, Achaogen, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Ikaria, and Quanterix. ARCH Co-founder and Managing Director Robert Nelsen commented, "Kristina has already helped to create some great companies at ARCH, such as Sapphire Energy, and we look forward to creating many more game-changing companies together."
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Investing in Algae Biofuel Stocks - Wall St Nation, Not a Lot to Cheer About
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Wall St Nation has this interesting take on the algae company stocks. Hmmm...you see a rather scary bunch of companies, practically all of them penny stocks except of course if you consider Chevron and Royal Dutch/Shell in the picture!
But well, let's be honest. It's fairly clear algae oil is in the very early stages. It's difficult to see which company could indeed survive this stage and move on to the next, so naturally investors factor that into the stock price. Higher the returns, higher the risk, so the daring souls will invest now, while the cautious ones will of course wait and watch.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Algae Funding - PetroSun to Introduce Algal Oil Working Interest Program
You are at: Oilgae Blog.PetroSun, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors have approved an Algal Oil WorkingInterest Program to fund in part the commercialization of its domesticalgae-to-biofuel farm systems. The initial Algal Oil Working InterestProgram will focus on converting aquaculture farm ponds located withinTexas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas to commercial algaefarm systems. The algae biomass harvested from these farm systems will beprocessed into biodiesel, aviation fuel, animal feed and other products.
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Convincing Obama that Algae is the Best - Algae Biomass Organization will Try!
You are at: Oilgae Blog.As the infant algae industry organizes, it must make its case for the kinds of tax breaks, market incentives, loans, and research and development backing that other biofuel sectors have. Though corn and soybean growers long have lobbied in Washington, the Algal Biomass Organization is a new kid on the block.
Very soon, the organization will meet in the US capital to discuss how to convince Congress and the incoming Obama administration that algae are much more than the film inside your fish tank, the scum blooming in the neighborhood pond or, in one of their most complex forms, seaweed.
“We are up against formidable opposition from competing interests,” Jason Pyle, the chief executive of Sapphire Energy, said of resistance from ethanol and biodiesel groups during an algae industry meeting in Seattle earlier this fall.
Pyle said that current policy favored such alternative fuels as corn for ethanol or soybeans for biodiesel and provided only limited assistance to algae-related products. He said that one of the top priorities for the new Congress and the Obama administration in their first 100 days would be to write a comprehensive energy bill. Pyle said it was crucial that the algae industry make its presence known.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Green Plains, Clarcor JV for Algae Fuels - Clarcor is a Filtration Systems Co
You are at: Oilgae Blog.BioProcess Algae LLC, a joint venture formed by Nebraska-based Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc., Tennessee-based filtration products manufacturer Clarcor Inc., Rhode Island-based photobioreactor and filtration system developer BioProcessH20 LLC and Ireland-based NTR PLC, was announced Nov. 18. GPRE committed $1.4 million in initial funding and with 25.5 percent interest in BioProcess Algae, it is the largest shareholder. (Nov 2008)
Source
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PetroSun and Shanghai Jun Ya Yan move into algae commercialization in China
You are at: Oilgae Blog.PetroSun, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: PSUD) announced today that the recent meetings held in Shanghai between PetroSun and Shanghai Jun Ya Yan Technology Development Co., Ltd. resulted in the completion of an agreement to move the parties into the initial stage of the commercialization of the algae-to-biofuel industry in China.
The terms of the agreement between PetroSun and Shanghai Jun Ya Yan include a forty million dollar sole funding commitment by Shanghai Jun Ya Yan for the construction and equipping of the initial algae farm system. The profits from the algae-to-biofuel operations will be disbursed on a 50/50 basis between the parties. PetroSun China, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroSun, Inc., will manage the field operations.
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Algae Fuel Investments - Are Algae Investments Affected by the Economy?
You are at: Oilgae Blog.It seems like only yesterday that oil was 140$ a barrel, and Bill Gates had invested 100 million $ into Sapphire Energy. There was talk of every second company in the world looking to invest in algae oil, and venture capitalists were suddenly asking themselves "Now what the heck are algae all about?"...
And then, now it looks like it is back to reality. Oil is at 43 $ per barrel, its lowest price in the last many years, the PR departments at many algae companies suddenly seem to have gone on a holiday, and venture capitalists are back to discussing Obama's energy policy.
I'm hoping that alt energy investing doesn't go the way fads go. Also hoping that people realise that whatever the oil prices are today, that oil ain't gonna exist 50 years later.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Dept. Of Commerce Announces 2nd Round Of Green Business Fund Grants
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The N.C. Department of Commerce's Office of Science and Technology is now accepting applications for the second round of N.C. Green Business Fund grants. The grants are designed to develop and commercialize promising technologies, products and services in the areas of biofuels, green building, clean technologies and renewable energy.
Last year's grant program received 85 applications from 33 counties across the state. Thirteen companies received grants ranging from $18,000 to $100,000. The total amount available this year is $950,000. A list of 2008 recipients appears at the end of this release.The fund awards grants for activities that encourage the expansion of small to medium-size businesses with 100 or fewer employees and innovative commercial technologies, products and services.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
General Atomics receives grant for research on algal feedstock for JP8 fuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., was awarded on Dec. 8, 2008 a, $19,946,886 cost plus fixed price contract for research of the primary objective of the Biofuels-Cellulosic and Algal Feedstock program is to develop the technical capability commercial algae production experience, resources, and commitment to demonstrate and ultimately commercialize the affordable production of JP-8 surrogate fuel from algal feedstock .
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NTR, A Leading International Developer and Operator in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Waste Management enters algae biofuels market
You are at: Oilgae Blog.A joint venture to carry out research and development in to the commercialisation of algae production for biofuel use has been unveilled today (19th November) by NTR plc. The company, together with its North American based ethanol business, Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc, CLARCOR Inc. and BioProcessH20 will develop the research to look at the next generation of biofuel feedstocks.
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Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation seeks to raise up to $30m
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation said it was offering up to 60m new shares at 50c each. It was seeking to raise $20m but reserved the right to accept over-subscriptions of up to $10m.Aquaflow said it had developed and was operating a commercial scale prototype harvesting plant on a wastewater plant in Blenheim, and was continuing pilot plant-scale testing of an algae conversion plant in Nelson.
The company had achieved a major milestone of being able to harvest tonnes of wild microalgae.It was now working on conversion processes which should give an increasingly better energy balance, while continuing to develop lower cost harvesting technologies.A great deal of research and development still had to be done, and it was anticipated that would continue to be Aquaflow's major activity for the remainder of 2008 and 2009.
"The company hopes to be able to generate income from the production or sale of its technology in the future, however it is not clear at this stage when revenue streams will produce positive net cash," Aquaflow said.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Harvesting
Solix plans algae biofuel plant in Colorado
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Solix Biofuels Completes $10.5 Million Series A Funding Round, Receives Commitment for Additional $5 Million to Build Biofuels Pilot Plant in Southwest Colorado.Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said. “Colorado is building a New Energy Economy and is leading a renewable-energy revolution thanks to innovative and forward-thinking companies like Solix.This is also great news for southwest Colorado, demonstrating that the New Energy Economy is benefiting communities all across the state.”
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MSU Researchers Receive Grant to Study Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Montana State University and Utah State University a three-year, $900,000 grant to study the oil produced by algae, which could be a renewable source of biodiesel.
The two universities will split the money more or less down the middle, said Brent Peyton, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at MSU and the principal investigator of the grant.
The MSU and Utah State project will screen different kinds of algae to learn which species produce the most oil and which can produce those oils most efficiently. The test algae will come from existing stocks at labs across the country and from field sampling, Peyton said.
Once the researchers find a candidate species, they will grow large numbers of the algae in a "raceway" bioreactor at Utah State. This 10,000-gallon, climate-controlled water tank has machinery that keeps the algae gently moving so that they can grow more efficiently.
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Venture Capital, Ambition & Research Spur Race for Algae as Fuel Source
You are at: Oilgae Blog.About $180 million in venture capital money has been raised for algae research this year. Some academic institutes have set up dedicated algae research centers; some start-ups are planning to test algae on larger demonstration projects in coming months.
"I'm convinced algae will work, but it'll take a different, out-of-the-box approach," said Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla, delivering the keynote address at the Algae Biomass Summit in Seattle last month.
The US federal government is starting to throw money into it. The Department of Energy has invested $2.3 million in algae-to-fuel grants so far this year. And the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is launching a new program to study algal feedstock material.
Startups and researchers are developing ways to maximize growth and reduce costs — growing it in the dark, increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the organisms, experimenting with oil-rich strains....
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National Algae Association's Global Initiative to Commercialize Algae for Biofuels
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Press release
Thursday November 6
THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The National Algae Association announces the formation of regional chapters in the UK, California and Kentucky to help to advance the fast-track commercialization of the algae biofuels industry world-wide and to strengthen global support for the NAA’s mission and purpose. Many leading experts on algae, including Sapphire, Solazyme, Valcent, university researchers, plant physiologists and leading algae companies believe algae will be commercialized in the next few years.
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“We are witnessing accelerated progress in the path towards the commercialization of algae in the next couple of years and this view is tremendously exciting,” said Barry Cohen, NAA Executive Director. Biofuels consulting firm Emerging Markets Online notes “algae is now emerging as a bourgeoning industry for biofuels as seen by several investments and confirmed with over $300 million in investments and projects so far in 2008,” said consultant Will Thurmond, author of the forthcoming study Algae 2020 and Chairman of R&D for the National Algae Association.
“These investments and projects include a $100 million investment by Bill Gates and the Rockefeller Foundation in Sapphire energy; more than $45 million invested in Solazyme in ’08 by Chevron and private investors; GreenFuels landing a $92 million contract to produce algae biomass in Spain; Petrosun’s $40 million contract to produce algae in China; the US Department of Energy investing $2.3 in algae projects in 2008; and the UK’s Carbon Trust just announcing $40 million in grants for leading algae companies. Our research and development efforts clearly illustrate advancement in the algae industry with investments, projects and initiatives and participation from investment majors such as Gates, The Rockefellers, DOE, BP and Chevron,” notes Thurmond.
The NAA’s California Chapter, headed up by Amy Montoya, will hold its inaugural event on December 2, 2008 at California State University-Fullerton Campus.
The NAA’s Mid-South Chapter, headed by Tamra Fakhoorian, will hold its inaugural event on December 5, 2008 at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
The NAA’s UK Chapter, headed up by Eric Pierce, will hold its inaugural event on December 8, 2008 at Silsoe Conference Centre, Cranfield University, Barton Rd, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT England.
The National Algae Association will hold its next Algae Commercialization Research, Networking and Business Plan Forum in January. Existing algae oil production companies, algae researchers and algaeprenuers will present leading-edge technologies for the commercialization of Algae on January 29-30, 2009 in Houston, Texas.
The NAA brings companies and researchers together from all over the world to share ideas and exchange information to overcome technological hurdles and fast-track commercialization of the fast-growing algae oil industry.
For more information about the National Algae Association, including information about the upcoming conferences and about membership, please visit our website at www.nationalalgaeassociation.com.
Contact:
National Algae Association
B. Cohen, 936-321-1125
info@nationalalgaeassociation.com
Source: National Algae Association
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Vinod Khosla Feels Algae Are not Yet Ready for Primetime?
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Vinod Khosla told more than 700 people attending the Algal Biomass Summit in Seattle on Oct. 23 that he has five criteria for investing in cutting edge energy technologies. Algae meets four of those criteria but fails on the last. Khosla said he believes the engineering problems of growing and harvesting algae are manageable. And he believes algae will have manageable startup costs and a quick innovation cycle.
Where algae fails to meet Khosla’s criteria is that he doesn’t believe algae will be able to compete unsubsidized with petroleum and other alternatives unsubsidized in the next five to seven years.
What algae needs, Khosla said, is a “black swan” solution. Black swans are those very important, industry disrupting ideas that may seem obvious in retrospect but no one forecast beforehand.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Investments
Australian Government to Spend $15m on Second Generation Biofuels Research
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The Federal Government will spend $15 million on second generation biofuels research and development.
Under the new program businesses and institutions researching second generation biofuels are now able to apply for grants of between $1 million and $5 million.
Second generation biofuels use fuel stocks such as biomass and algae rather than grain or other livestock feed.
Their development is seen as a crucial cog in moving beyond the 'food versus fuel' debate.
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Algae-based oil would save 160m tonnes CO2 - Carbon Trust, UK
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Algae-based transportation fuel could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by over 160 million tonnes, according to the Carbon Trust.
The organisation has set up a funding initiative to boost research and development into algae biofuels with the aim of creating an alternative to fossil fuels by 2020.
It has set up the Algae Biofuels Challenge, which it will fund with up to £6 million and will also have the backing and funding of the Department of Transport.
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Investments Skyrocketing for Algae Oil Companies and Research
You are at: Oilgae Blog.There are many companies that are joining the race to find a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to turn algae into the fuel needed to power cars, trucks, airplanes and boats.
The amount of money being invested in algae-to-fuel research by venture capitalists is skyrocketing. New businesses are snapping up graduate students knowledgeable about the aquatic plants before they've even finished their degrees, and they're hustling to form alliances with algae academics who for years toiled without much notice.
"Industry is coming to us," said Shulin Chen, a Washington State University biological engineering professor working on algae power.
"This is an exciting time," said Rose Ann Cattolico, a University of Washington algae expert.
"A lot of the innovation is happening on the West Coast (of the US)," said Darrin Morgan, The Boeing Co.'s director of business analysis/environmental strategy.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research
Will Feeding Organic Waste to Algae Increase Oil Yield? asks University of Virginia Prof Lisa Colosi
You are at: Oilgae Blog.One key difficulty with algae is yields – typically, many algae growing in a natural state only produces about one percent by weight of the hydrocarbons desired. Now new a new research program from the University of Virginia aims to change that.
The new program, funded by a UVA Collaborative Sustainable Energy Seed Grant worth about $30,000, seeks to apply analytical engineering practices to optimizing the algae's fuel output.
According to Professor Lisa Colosi, a professor of civil and environmental engineering who is part of the project team, feeding carbon dioxide and organic waste to the algae can increase their oil yield to as high as 40 percent by weight. If the team can prove that either of the factors can indeed boost production, it would provide additional benefits. If the organic sludge works, the algae could be used to treat wastewater. If the concentrated carbon dioxide works, the algae could have coal power-plant flue gas bubbled through it, which contains 10 to 30 times atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This could help cut the emissions from coal plants. Algae could else help remove nitrogen gas from industrial sources.
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Talk on Biofuels Winners, Billion Dollar Companies at Algae Biomass Summit
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Algae-based biofuels are the topic du jour. And why not—the prospect of using pond scum to power 21st-century transportation and replace crude oil is pretty appealing. So one of the highlights from the Algae Biomass Summit in Seattle yesterday, besides the keynote by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, was a panel of prominent VCs discussing the ins and outs of the fledgling biofuels business. Bob Nelsen, a co-founder and managing director at Seattle-based Arch Venture Partners, was joined by Jim Long, a venture partner at Redwood Shores, CA-based Gabriel Venture Partners, and moderator Josh Green, a general partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures in Menlo Park, CA.
Interesting analysis on the summit here
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University of Texas Researchers on Forefront of Studying Algae Biofuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.University of Texas researchers have turned their attention to a promising alternative fuel source: pond scum.
Researchers at UT, home to the largest collection of algae in the world, are vying for a piece of a Defense Department research project that nudges scientists to find fuel alternatives for its jet airplanes from nothing more glamorous than algae. The department said it has not chosen who will get the research grants, but UT researchers say the federal government plans to spend at least $50 million on the project.
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Vinod Khosla Says Algae Can Be the Solution @ 2008 Algae Biomass Summit
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The 2008 Algae Biomass Summit opened on 23rd Oct to a capacity audience of more than 600 algae producers, scientists, investors and policy-makers from more than a dozen countries. These experts gathered to accelerate the development of algae-based solutions to global energy, environmental, and economic issues. Keynote speaker and pre-eminent clean technology investor Vinod Khosla set the tone for the conference by stating his belief that given the continued developments in technology, algae can play a significant role in the replacement of petroleum oil.
I am here today because I believe algae can be a solution, stated Khosla. "I'm convinced someone here (at the Summit) will break the code. The exciting part is to see over 600 people in this room solving the problem. In fact, someone out there may have already solved it and I just dont know yet."
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