Oilgae Blog - The Latest from the World of Algae Fuels
Aurora Biofuels Tries to Double Oil Production from Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
Aurora Biofuels says it has a species of algae that breeds like a rabbit.
The Alameda, Calif.-based company has identified and optimized a genetic pathway in a species of wild algae that effectively turbocharges the growth and breeding cycle of the single-celled creature. As a result, the company says it will be able to double the oil production, and ability to sequester carbon dioxide, of its algae ponds.
"This gets us to 5,000 gallons per acre a year, which we think is economically viable," said CEO Bob Walsh in an interview.
Aurora is now negotiating leases to build a 50-acre pond that could produce 100 gallons a day by the second quarter of next year. If all goes well, and further optimizations arise, Aurora could have a 2,000 acre pond by 2011 or 2012. Such a pond set up with Aurora's algae and equipment could produced lipids for around $1.75 a gallon, which would translate to $2 gallon diesel. he said.
Labels: Algae-Cultivation-Open-Pond, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
Algae to Ethanol, the Macroalgae Route - GGASS
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Have posted an interesting presentation from Alex Harel of GGASS on the potential of macroalgae to become an important bio-ethanol feedstock. I for one feel that a lot more focus needs to be given to macroalgae than it is given now.
Let's wish GGASS all the best!
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Ethanol, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Oil-Yield
Correlation between microRNAs and Oil Content - Rosetta Genomics Leverages its MicroRNA Platform for Plant Biotech Initiative
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Initiates Rosetta Green, a Project Which Will Leverage Rosetta Genomics' Proprietary microRNA Technologies and Strong IP Position to Develop a Wide Range of Plant-Based Applications
- The Company has Recently Secured Up to $1.5M From Private Investors, Which Will be Invested in the Project in Trenches as Certain Milestones are Reached
- Rosetta has Already Identified microRNAs Correlated With Algal Oil Content and Starch & Oil Content in Corn
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Labels: Algae-Oil-Yield
Carbon Trust’s Algae Biofuels Challenge
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The Carbon Trust’s multi-million pound initiative into algae to transport fuels*
As part of our Advanced Bioenergy Accelerator, the Carbon Trust intends to make a multi-million pound investment to support the development and commercialisation of microalgae biofuel technologies that have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Microalgae can be cultivated and manipulated to produce high yields of oil that can be used as a feedstock for further refining into transport oil. The potential biomass yield of microalgae is vast compared to conventional agricultural biofuel feedstocks and it has few of their negative impacts (it does not require arable land or freshwater and does not compete with commodity food crops). Therefore, the production of microalgae biofuels at scale would represent a disruptive technological breakthrough. However, many challenges remain to make low cost algae biofuels a commercial reality.
Following an extensive programme of work over the last year, analysing the algae biofuel opportunity and developing an appropriate R&D investment strategy to overcome these challenges, the Carbon Trust intends to fund R&D into microalgae derived transport fuels through the Algae Biofuels Challenge, ABC.
The ABC is a two phase programme with the first phase addressing fundamental R&D challenges and the second phase moving to large scale production of algal oil. The total programme cost is expected to be in the region of £20m-30m, with up to £10m-16m of Carbon Trust funding. Further details about the two phases of the ABC can be downloaded using the links on the right hand side of this page.
The call for proposals for Phase 1 of the ABC opened on the 23rd October 2008 and closes on 15th December 2008. To accompany the launch of the ABC, we will be holding a launch event on the afternoon and evening of Thursday 30th October in London.
The launch event will be used to explain our strategy for the Algae Biofuels Challenge and will provide facilitated opportunities for networking and an evening drinks reception. The networking opportunities will be designed to provide a forum for attendees to generate inter-disciplinary and inter-organisational collaborations to deliver the requirements of the Algae Biofuels Challenge. The event will also provide you with the opportunity to discuss the call for EoIs with members of the Carbon Trust research and development management team who will be on hand to address any questions you may have related to your own plans.
In order to register for the event, please complete our registration form and return it by email to events_team@carbontrust.co.uk. If you have questions about the event, please email the same address, or call us on 0845 136 0103. Otherwise, for more general information about our bioenergy activities, or to be added to our interest list to receive regular updates and announcements about the Algae Biofuels Challenge, please email us at pipeline@carbontrust.co.uk.
Source page @ Carbon Trust, UK
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Oil-Yield
Algae Biofuel Takes Lead Over Jatropha
You are at: Oilgae Blog.In the endevour to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions to achieve a clean environment, humble algae appears to be taking a lead over the more-talked-about biodiesel source jatropha.
Experts say that algae farming in less than 1 per cent of India’s total land can make the country self-sufficient in liquid fuel. Algae yield from one acre of wasteland can be 10 times more than jatropha and by a conservative estimate over 10,000 litres of oil can be produced from one acre of waste/degraded land, they add.
And not just this, algae farming for biofuels can also provide a solution to the food versus fuel debate. As algae do not need agriculture land, it can be grown using non-potable or sea water.
Read the full article here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Oil-Yield
Algae Farmers Starts Making Biodiesel!
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Jes Sprouse quit his job to follow his dream. He became an algae farmer.
Sprouse, 35, grows the emerald slime in a 1-acre pond in eastern Prince George County, Virginia. Sprouse's vision might sound wacky at first, but he has the support of some of the state's top scientists and political leaders. Now, the 1-acre pond produces just a few ounces of diesel a day. But Sprouse and Hatcher believe algae can eventually produce 3,000 to 5,000 gallons per acre per year.
Read more from this article
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Oil-Yield
Algae X : Patented Tech to Develop High Yielding Algae Strains
You are at: Oilgae Blog.The recent creation of AXI, LLC is an alliance between Allied Minds, Inc. a seed investment company and the University of Washington. The alliance came about because of Professor Rose Ann Cattolico PhD, an algae-to-fuel expert. Professor Cattolico has been on the faculty and conducting algae research since 1975. Her research includes, chloroplast genome architecture and gene function in non-chlorophy b containing algae and functional genetic diversity within stramenopile population. Professor Cattolico has discovered a unique patented technology, she calls Algae X.
The technology will be utilized in the development and creation of various algae species targeted to high yield per acre and high levels of usable alternative oil for heating and fuel. All algae is not equal in terms of creating an alternative to fossil fuels or reliance on foreign oil supplies. Algae X meets the threshold criteria and goes one better. It appears to have no adverse effect on food supply economics and it does not increase green house gas emissions.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Oil-Yield
Green Star Creates Breakthrough Micronutrient that Boosts Algae Growth
You are at: Oilgae Blog.One of the companies working on making algal fuels viable is Green Star, and they just announced the creation of a new micronutrient that can help boost algae daily growth rate by 34% and "increase the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by well over 100%."
The UABC testing has shown that 1:10,000 nutrient dilution rates were very productive (i.e. one gallon of MMB mixed with 10,000 gallons of water). Even at 1:20,000 dilution levels, the MMB was still effective. " Green Star will make available 12-oz sample bottles to all universities [either at no cost or with $50 shipping fees], research institutes and commercial facilities for testing on their specific strains of algae."
More from this TreeHugger post
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
GM Algae the Answer?
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Genetic manipulation of algae, one of the hottest avenues, is rife with both possibility and controversy. Engineered strains could be highly efficient and tailored to produce specific substances. But like other genetically modified (GM) species, if they aren’t contained, they pose a threat to their surroundings, says this interesting article from Plenty Magazine
“You could destroy a whole ecosystem,” says David Bayless, a researcher at Ohio University. But GM strains are at risk from natural algae as well, and companies working with engineered algae have incentive to keep them in enclosed tanks. “If you’re going to all the trouble of genetically engineering an organism, you don’t want a competing strain to come in there and take over,” says Bayless. “So I don’t see much of an option other than closed systems.”
Interesting article, also provides inputs on the latest from HR Biopetroleum and GreenFuel...
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Labels: Algae-Oil-Yield
AXI Plans to Develop Algae Strains for Fuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Allied Minds, an investment company, has invested in the work of Rose Ann Cattolico, University of Washington biology professor, who has studied the physiology of algae for more than 30 years and sees it as a source of fuel for transportation. Allied Minds has formed a startup company called AXI.
AXI won't be in the business of making fuel. Instead, it will work with biofuel producers to develop strains of algae that produce just the right lipids, or oils, for the fuel that the producer wants to make. The methods will not employ genetic modification, Cattolico said.
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Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Oil-Yield
The challenge of algae fuel: An expert speaks
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.The challenge of algae fuel: An expert speaks
Making fuel out of algae is one of those ideas that everyone loves. An acre of algae can produce 50 times more oil than an acre of soy, estimates John Sheehan, now vice president of strategy and sustainable development at LiveFuels.
"It can produce a lot of oil," he said in an interview on Wednesday.
Sheehan's not new to the field. He oversaw biomass, ethanol and algae programs at National Renewable Energy Labs. An NREL paper on algae--along with research from some of the national labs--forms the basis of a lot of the thinking around algae.
Read the full details of what Sheehan feel here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
PetroSun Executes Algae Oil Feedstock LoI
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.PetroSun Executes Algal Oil Feedstock Letter of Intent
Press Release
PHOENIX, AZ -- 11/05/07 -- PetroSun, Inc. announced today that PetroSun BioFuels, a wholly owned subsidiary, has executed a Letter of Intent with Bio-Alternatives, Inc. that frames an algal oil Feedstock Supply Agreement. Bio-Alternatives of Gulf Shores, Alabama, an emerging refiner of biodiesel, plans to locate its initial facility in south Louisiana.
The terms of the agreement include PetroSun BioFuels producing a minimum of 54 million gallons of raw algal oil and Bio-Alternatives buying 54 million gallons of algal oil feedstock on an annual basis. The initial delivery to the Bio-Alternatives refinery will occur during the third quarter of 2008. PetroSun will locate algae farms and an extraction plant in Louisiana to service this contract. The contract price of the algal oil will be indexed to the market price of crude oil.
The Feedstock Supply Agreement will be executed on or before November 30, 2007.
About PetroSun
PetroSun's operations include oil and gas exploration, development and production and algae-to-algal oil alternative fuels production. The oil and gas division is focused on the exploration of the Canning Basin of Western Australia and the Holbrook Basin of Arizona. The Company will continue the development of oil and gas reserves in Louisiana. The alternative fuels division is in the pre-commercial stage with its algae-to-biofuels production technology. The Company plans to establish algae farms and algal oil extraction plants in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mexico, Brazil and Australia during 2007/2008. The algal oil product will be marketed as feedstock to existing biodiesel refiners. PetroSun is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with field offices in Shreveport, Louisiana and Opelika, Alabama. For more information about PetroSun visit the company's website at http://www.petrosuninc.com.
Except historical matter contained herein, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Investor Relations
Osprey Partners
Mike Mulshine
732-292-0982
Email Contact
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
Understanding Algae Biodiesel: A Grassroots Interview with Green Star Products' President
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Understanding Algae Biodiesel: A Grassroots Interview with Green Star Products' President
05/18/2007: Press Release from Green Star Products, Inc.
SAN DIEGO-- May 18, 2007--Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) (OTC:GSPI.PK), announced that biodiesel from agricultural crops can only replace a small percentage of the World's increasing need for diesel.
Algae can produce 50 to 100 times more oil per acre than oil crops (i.e. oil from soybean, corn, cotton, hemp, euphorbia, mustard seed, sesame, safflower, rice, tung oil tree, sunflower, peanuts, rapeseed, olives, jojoba, jatropha, coconut, palm oil, Chinese tallow, etc.).
Get the real story about the future of biodiesel production in the U.S.A. and Worldwide in this in-depth interview given to WallSt.net by Joseph LaStella, President of Green Star Products, Inc. You can hear the interview by using the following link http://www.wallst.net/audio/audio. asp?ticker=GSPI&id=3382.
Also see GSPI's two-minute documentary type video clip at GSPI's Website (GreenStarUSA.com) or directly at this link
http://video.google. com/googleplayer.swf?docId=595872956429027619&hl=en. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) (OTC:GSPI.PK) is an environmentally friendly company dedicated to creating innovative cost-effective products to improve the quality of life and clean up the environment. Green Star Products and its Consortium are involved in the production of renewable clean-burning biodiesel and other products, including lubricants, additives and devices that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in vehicles, machinery and power plants. For more information, see Green Star Products' Web site at www.GreenStarUSA.com, or call Investor Relations at 619-864-4010, or fax 619-789-4743, or email info@GreenStarUSA.com. Information about trading prices and volume can be obtained at several Internet sites, including http://www.pinksheets.com, http://www.bloomberg.com and http://www.bigcharts.com under the ticker symbol "GSPI".
Forward-looking statements in the release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, increased levels of competition for the company, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence on third-party suppliers, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
‘Hydrogen economy’ a Boondoggle
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Here's an interesting "Comments to the Editor" I came across.
TO THE EDITOR: ‘Hydrogen economy’ a Boondoggle
Mon 07 May 2007
"
While the “hydrogen economy” receives much media attention, there are serious problems with hydrogen as transportation fuel. The first is hydrogen gas is extremely explosive. Hydrogen must be pressurised to 250 atmospheres for use as fuel, requiring corrosion-resistant tanks that don’t rust, spring leaks and explode. Hydrogen’s low energy density requires fuel tanks 14 times as large to yield the same driving range. To get a 1400 km range, a tractor trailer needs 168 gallons of diesel. Hydrogen vehicles would require 2360 gallons of hydrogen, stored at 250 atmospheres. Dedicating that much space to fuel storage would drastically reduce how much trucks could carry, while the costs of high-pressure, corrosion-resistant storage tanks, would be astronomical. The two main options for producing hydrogen, generating from water and extracting from other fuels, both have energy efficiencies below 100 per cent, (takes more energy to produce than you get). Hydrogen vehicles (currently $1 million each to produce) would need a widescale hydrogen fuel distribution system. With a single hydrogen fuel pump costing $1 million, installing six at each of the 176 000 fuel stations across the US is more than $1 trillion, costs completely avoided with biofuels that use our current infrastructure.
Algae instead of corn for bio-fuel
Algae multiplies so quickly and produces so much oxygen per square foot that ponds with a total surface area five times the size of Colorado would be enough to start to reverse our growing CO2 problem. Algae triples in volume every day. Corn, with one crop a year, nets about 81 gallons bio-diesel an acre (soy nets 40). Algae yields as high as 15 000 gallons an acre. Enough biodiesel to replace all petroleum transportation fuels could be grown in about 9.5 million acres, far less than the 450 million acres used for crop farming in the US, and the more than 500 million acres animal grazing land. Hydrogen is dangerous/explosive, extremely expensive and nets zero energy, that is, it uses more energy than it creates. Algae converts CO2 to O2, is 30 to 50 per cent oil and converts easily to bio-fuel. Conservation reduces present and future production of CO2. Algae reduces EXISTING CO2. The government needs to quit looking at corn and begin massive and wholesale funding and grants for algae. A new state agri-business of algae farms? Or grants for ocean farming? Algae, pond scum also a planet saver? Yes, if we take action!
Tami Freedman
Ooltewah
United States
"
Source: The Sofia Echo page
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Oil-Yield
Green Star Completes Algae Phase I Demo Facility
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Green Star Completes Algae Phase I Demo Facility
Press release, May 11, 2007
SAN DIEGO - Green Star Products, Inc., announced today that it has completed Phase I of its 40,000 liter microalgae demonstration facility (see facility picture at GreenStarUSA.com).
GSPI demonstration facility is located in Montana and is one of the largest demonstration facilities in the world.
Phase I objective in this project is to determine the ability of the GSPI Algae Process System to solve the daunting operational problems for microalgae production, which have plagued the algae production industry for years.
Phase I now is complete and has been successful in controlling the most important variables in algae production, i.e. temperature of water in large systems, salinity (salt content), evaporation, pH (acidity-alkalinity) and most all initial costs of construction.
Mr. LaStella stated, "Experts agree that the major hurdles in production of algae are associated with the control of the mechanical and physical parameters of the growth environment for the algae and the high capital costs of construction of that environment."
Many suitable high-lipid (oil) algae species have been cultivated and already exits to produce the First Generation of sustainable energy farms. Present available algae species can produce 4,000 gallons of oil per acre each year, which is 50 times greater than the oil yield from oilseed crops such as soybean or canola crops. Recent news stories have publish the fact that the world is already experiencing significant increases in food prices because oil crops compete with food crops (Reuters May 8, 2007 – “United Nations tackles sustainable bioenergy growth”).
Algae farms, on the other hand, do not compete with food crops. Algae may be the only long-term feedstock solution for biodiesel production.
A report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states the following conclusions in relation to algae farms:
The DOE analyses indicate, "that significant potential land, water and CO2 resources exist to support this technology. Algae Biodiesel could easily supply several 'quads' of biodiesel - substantially more than existing oilseed crops could provide. Quad is short for 'quadrillion BTUs', which is a unit of energy representing 10 to the 15th level (1,000,000,000,000,000) BTUs of energy, which is also equivalent to approximately one billion gallons of fuel. This perspective led DOE to focus on the concept of immense algae farms.”
The DOE also states, “Microalgae systems use far less water than traditional oilseed crops. Land is hardly a limitation. Two hundred thousand hectares (less than 0.1% of climatically suitable land areas in the U.S.) could produce one quad of fuel. Thus, though the technology faces many R&D hurdles before it can be practicable, it is clear that resource limitations are not an argument against the technology."
Mr. LaStella explains, "The industry hurdles are mainly associated with costs of construction of algae farms and process systems that can economically control the growth environment of the algae. This is exactly the purpose of GSPI's Phase I demonstration algae facility."
Mr. LaStella further outlined the present state of the algae industry.
There are only two main types of algae production systems in use as follows:
A) Closed Photobioreactors
All attempts to use closed bioreactors for algae fuel crops have all failed. The failure of the closed bioreactors includes the $250 million dollar R&D program spent by Japan. Closed bioreactors are too costly, although they do have a place as a breeder facility (hatchery) for larger systems.
B) Open Pond Systems
The alternative system which is open ponds have had marginal success and are prone to multiple failures from many uncontrolled environmental conditions ranked in order: 1) Temperature and light variances – day and night, summer versus winter, etc.; 2) Infiltration from local algae into open ponds contaminating the cultured algae causing pond crashes; 3) Evaporation, wind blowing dust particles into ponds and rain causing changes in salinity and pH, which affect growth of algae.
The GSPI (licensed) algae system is a Hybrid Algae Production System (HAPS) that incorporates the controlled environment of the closed photobioreactors coupled with inexpensive construction technology to reduce the cost to a level very close to the open pond systems.
In summary, GSPI has developed the field expertise to build and operate the patent pending, proprietary Hybrid Algae Production System (HAPS), a cross between an open and closed pond system. The demonstration, prototype facility is located in Montana with an individual pond capacity of 40,000 liters, which can easily be scaled up to larger systems and acreage.
The GSPI enclosed HAPS have been designed to be constructed utilizing relatively inexpensive local materials anywhere in the world.
Three different pond construction methods (with the same overall design) were used to develop cost factors for time and capital expenditures to determine construction cost data.
The 40,000-liter pond with a four-man crew was assembled in less than 12 hours after the necessary construction materials were onsite. After the water flow commenced, tests for flow rates, mixing rates and pond day and night temperatures changes were charted.
During the test period, varied weather conditions occurred in Montana with temperatures varying from 34°F to 82°F, winds up to 30 mph, heavy rains, some snow, cloudy and sunny periods – all occurred during this time.
However, with the enclosed HAPS, several typical uncontrolled open-pond parameters were dramatically improved. For example, pond temperatures were 30°F to 36°F higher than the outside temperature on cold nights well above the optimum minimum growing temperature for algae of 64°F.
The HAPS also offer additional inexpensive external temperature controls, if necessary, to cool ponds in the hot summer and heat ponds in winter conditions, during extended sunless days, to maintain maximum growth conditions.
Also, algae cannot tolerate direct sunlight and they tend to grow best receiving 25% to 50% of direct sunlight. GSPI’s HAPS enclosed ponds have a partial light barrier with the enclosed material to promote optimum light conditions for algae photosynthesis.
Temperature and light control are the two most important parameters identified by industry reports and must be accomplished at an effective low cost. The next important parameter to be controlled is salinity. Open ponds continually evaporate large quantities of water and leave salt behind. Each time this cycle is completed additional salt water is added. Salt content continually increases and adversely affects the growth of the algae and must eventually be disposed of and exchanged with new water and algae. GSPI’s HAPS ponds do not evaporate the water and can maintain optimum salinity levels for long periods of time.
In summary, GSPI has already addressed the main causes of failures of other systems and we are now ready to inoculate the first HAPS’ pond with high-lipid (oil) producing algae.
See other recent GSPI press releases May 9, 2007 — “GSPI To File Full Disclosure Under New Pink Sheets Rules”; March 15, 2007 — “GSPI Consortium to Construct Algae-to-Biodiesel Facilities in Two Countries”; and March 7, 2007 — “De Beers Fuel Limited Increases Orders for Green Star Biodiesel Reactors.”
Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI)(OTC:GSPI.PK) is an environmentally friendly company dedicated to creating innovative cost-effective products to improve the quality of life and clean up the environment. Green Star Products and its Consortium are involved in the production of renewable clean-burning biodiesel and other products, including lubricants, additives and devices that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in vehicles, machinery and power plants. For more information, see Green Star Products' Web site at http://www.GreenStarUSA.com, or call Investor Relations at 619-864-4010, or fax 619-789-4743, or email info@GreenStarUSA.com. Information about trading prices and volume can be obtained at several Internet sites, including http://www.pinksheets.com, http://www.bloomberg.com and http://www.bigcharts.com under the ticker symbol "GSPI".
Forward-looking statements in the release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, increased levels of competition for the company, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence on third-party suppliers, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
Green Star Products, Inc.
Joseph LaStella, President, 619-864-4010
Fax: 619-789-4743
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
"Playing with Pond Scum" - Algae Fuel in the Red Herring
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
"Playing with Pond Scum" - Algae Fuel in the April 9, 2007 issue of Red Herring Print Issue
Algae, grown in factories or in ponds, is rich in lipids (read: oil) and could yield 5-to 30-times more oil per acre than palm oil for biofuel production. Only a small group of entrepreuneurs grow commercial algae -- a select group of “alga-nuts,” in the words of one such CEO. VCs don’t think it’s so nutty, though. Algae startups Solazyme, Aurora BioFuels, and GreenFuel Technologies, recently raised tens of millions of funding dollars. Read all about it in Red Herring's Apr issue cover feature, “Playing with Pond Scum,” (available only in the offline print format!)
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Products, Algae-Oil-Yield
Cultured Micro-Algae Produces Omega-3 Bio-Lipid Oil
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Cultured Micro-Algae Produces Omega-3 Bio-Lipid Oil
News Release, Apr 2007
Visit http://www.bio-lipids.com (site under construction) for further information.
Renewable energy technology combines aquaculture with sustainable energy. It is an economically viable, sustainable and successful method of producing mass quantities bio-lipid oil (mainly Omega-3 oils), which brings real life alternative technolgy to the forefront.
Bio-Lipids Technology Group, LLC.
After years of privately funding their own research, the Bio-Lipids Technology Group, LLC has opened their doors to transferring their technology to public and private companies around the world. The company utilizes the strengths of its “advisory board”, made up of the world’s top scientists in the fields of petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, aquaculture, economics and nutrition, to custom develop implementation plans for its clients. Projects are currently being planned throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Micro-algae are capable of producing more bio-lipid oil than any other feedstock or terrestrial crop. Comparing the bio-lipid yield from micro-algae to that of soy and canola , micro-algae produces 200 times more bio-lipid oil (on a per acre per year basis) than soy and 150 times more than canola. In addition, the chemical makeup of the micro-algae (bio-lipid) oil burns cleaner as biodiesel and has more Omega-3 (ALA) and DHA than that of soy or canola oil.
The company takes an “extensive” approach to culturing algae and can even produce organically certified bio-lipid oil. Utilization of existing, but non-operational shrimp ponds, salt flats or fish ponds is the preferred method.
Major markets for the production of bio-lipid oil includes: biodiesel, fish-feed and pharmaceuticals. The Omega-3 bio-lipid oil can directly replace fish meal as the source of protein. This now eliminates the monopoly that fishmeal has on the aquaculture industry. The cost to produce bio-lipid oil is significantly less than the purchase price of fish oils and petroleum based diesel fuels.
Micro-algae production is enhanced when other aquatic species are cultured in conjunction, to provide essential nutrients for the growth of the micro-algae. This approach allows for the continuance of the culture of the existing species, while producing a secondary crop (bio-lipid oil) that may be more valuable than the primary species. Additionally, we can culture the micro-algae without having to culture other aquatic species, it just makes sense to get two crops for the price of one.
For more information: info at bio-lipids dot com
Oilgae Academic Edition provides extensive details for researchers on pathways and technologies for alternative energy products – not just biodiesel from algae is presented in the report.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from AlgaeOilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
Answers to some Algae Oil FAQs - Heating Value, Yield...
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Here's an interesting post by Clint LeRoy at the Oil from Algae yahoogroup
Answers to some Algae Oil FAQs
"
Algae oil to 72 % of their weight
Ladies and Gentleman
Each day I get a phone call or two from interested people wishing to find out all the details about the Algae and the developing business of growing the algae to produce high volumes of oil. I myself find these answers out by reading everything I can and counseling with the scientist in charge. Today I give you answers to some of those lingering questions which have become quite repetitive.
1. What is the heating value of the oil when burned?
2. How do you get more fatty oils from the current algae substrates?
#1 Answer: A typical algal mass has a heating value (heat produced by combustion) of 8,000-10,000 BTU/lb, which is better than lignite; but the heating value of algal oil and lipids is 16,000 BTU/lb, which is better than anthracite coal.
#2 Answer: Under normal circumstances, algae contain mainly hydrocarbons and proteins; the fat content does not exceed 20% of the total dry weight. But it was discovered that under nutritional stress - limited nutrients or saline environment - certain micro algae will accumulate up to 72% of their weight as lipids (fatty substances).
***** So by starving them you make them grow fatter? Only in a sense: by limiting their food, you make them form a higher percentage of their body weight as fat.
While you’re working hard to visualize your wealth of building and operating these vast farms of Algae, others are developing the maximum output so you don’t have the headaches when the time comes to release the final Photo-bioreactor.
Clint LeRoy
Lead Consultant
Marg Energy inc.
www.margenergy. com
"
Original message here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Oil-Yield
"Not able to get a good algal yield"
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
"Not able to get a good algal yield"
Here's an interesting message I found on the Oil from Algae yahoo group, a person from Philippines has this to say:
"I'm located in the Philippines with exeprience in algal> culturing from my shrimp/prawn hatchery operation. The 95000 liters oil yield per year per hectare that Michael Briggs and others were writing about rekindled my interest in the algae business. Have run actual outdoor tests, semi-continuous, with an Isochrysis strain, but the yield was only 23000 kg of oil/ha/year, (12 g per day/ton of water). That was off target by a factor of 4. I'm sure it's possible to tweak that a little and get a better yield or use a higher yielding strain. However, the main problem is not the culturing but the cost of the input like fertilizers, electricity, labor, overhead, etc., which are many times the value of the oil you can get out of it.
Even at 95000 liters oil yield per hectare per year the input expenses> would be several times larger than the total oil yield. So who would invest in a business like that? And I'm stuck right there. Would love to continue this project, but am looking for information about tweaking production, and most of all,> substantially lowering the input costs - Peter"
Bobby Yates Emory has this suggestion: "I think froth flotation may be the answer"
See the original message and the list of responses here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
An investigation of the heterotrophic culture of the green alga Tetraselmis
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
An investigation of the heterotrophic culture of the green algaTetraselmis
A research paper
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 8, Number 1 / January, 1996
DOI - 10.1007/BF02186225
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
John G. Day1 and Alexander J. Tsavalos2
(1)
Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere Laboratory, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, U.K.
(2)
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St., Liverpool, L3 3AF, U.K.
Received: 6 March 1996 Accepted: 13 March 1996
Abstract
The marine PrasinophyteTetraselmis may be cultured under both mixotrophic (photoheterotrophic) and heterotrophic conditions. The growth rate was slightly lower, and pigment levels and lipid composition were radically affected on heterotrophic culture in 1 L fermenters. Total chlorophyll levels of dark grown cultures were less than 1% of those observed in mixotrophically grown cells, the chlorophylla : b ratio also decreased as did the carotenoid content. In addition, the total amounts of lipids including polyunsaturated fatty-acids were also lower in heterotrophically cultured cells: 6.4 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 0.35 mg g–1 (dried alga); as compared to 37.1 mg g–1 (dried alga) and 18.5 mg g–1 (dried alga), for cells grown in the light. However, gross morphology and final yield (>16 g l–1) were relatively unaffected. The algae produced were spray-dried and tested for their suitability as an aquaculture feed.
Key words algal biotechnology - heterotrophic culture - Tetraselmis - lipids - pigments - aquaculture
Original link and ordering info here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Oil-Yield
Nitrogen depletion to enhance yield of oil through triglyceride accumulation
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Nitrogen depletion for intracellular triglyceride accumulation to enhance liquefaction yield of marine microalgal cells into a fuel oil
Publisher - Springer New York
Issue - Volume 6, Number 1 / January, 1998
SpringerLink Date - Thursday, February 19, 2004
Authors - Keiko Yamaberi, Mutsumi Takagi, Toshiomi Yoshida
Abstract
Correspondence to: M. Takagi. Fax: +81-6-879-7454.-->Abstract. The lipid content of Nannochloris sp. UTEX LB1999 cells grown in a nitrogen-limited medium (0.9 mM KNO3) was 1.5 times as high as when grown in a modified NORO medium containing 9.9 mM KNO3. However, the cell concentration was too low for production of fuel oil by liquefaction of cell mass at high temperature and pressure. During cultivation using the modified NORO medium, neither growth nor lipid accumulation were influenced by nitrogen depletion in the late logarithmic growth phase. The triglyceride content remained constant during the stationary phase in cultures periodically supplemented with nitrogen source. However, triglycerides accumulated to a greater extent during the stationary phase in the nitrogen depleted culture. The final triglyceride content was 2.2 times that of the nitrogen sufficient culture. The increase in triglyceride content was associated with a decrease in chlorophyll content. In the liquefaction reactions, the cells with a higher triglyceride content produced a higher yield of oil.
See the original Springer Link page here for ordering information
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Oil-Yield
CCMP647 Marine Phytoplankton
You are at the Oilgae Blog; See also: Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae Home PageCCMP647 is a marine phytoplankton that has high oil content - about 50% of mass. This strain is readily available from CCMP, a US culture collection organization.
It can grow up to 50 % lipid. It doubles in about 2-3 days. Initial field trials have been few with this strain, but some of the trials appear to suggest that this strain can outcompete other invaders.
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Oil-Yield, Algae-Strains
Oilfield Service Provider Creates Algae Spin-off
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See also: Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from AlgaeOilfield service provider PetroSun Drilling Inc. recently formed a wholly owned subsidiary called Algae Biofuels Inc. According to PetroSun, its new spin-off company will focus on the research and development of high-oil-yielding algae cultivation for processing into biodiesel. Sites in Arizona and Australia will house Algae Biofuels’ R&D and production facilities. PeroSun is currently a service provider to the oil industry
Personalities mentioned: PetroSun’s president L. Rayfield Wright
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Oil-Yield
Global Green for Worldwide Rights for Algae 2 Oil
You are at Oilgae Blog. See also: Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from AlgaeThe following is the abstract of the news item...
Global Green Solutions Inc. announced it has the right to earn the exclusive world rights to a bio-fuel oil technology (known as Vertigro) from Valcent Products Inc. of El Paso, Texas.
Vertigro is a C02 sequestration system in high-density vertical bioreactors for the mass production of certain algae...Approximately 50% of the dry weight of the algae is an oil suitable for bio-fuel blending with diesel and for other uses. Vertigro is designed as a continuous closed loop that uses little man made energy and nominal water.
...yields up to 4,000 barrels oil per acre, per year, at an estimated cost of $20 per barrel are achievable on a commercial scale. ...by comparison, typically corn will yield up to one-half a barrel of oil per acre per year at considerably higher cost; palm oil, with highest yield of conventional sources, delivers approximately fifteen barrels of oil per acre per year.
Vertigro will sequester approximately 2,700,000 tons C02 per year which will be sold as a green credit within the emerging green credit system within the USA and within the Kyoto Protocols.
Global Green has agreed to fund a demonstration pilot plant at an estimated cost of $2,500,000. The Plant will be built on Valcent's lands located in the El Paso area by mid July of 2007...
...The US Department of Agriculture believes that demand for biodiesel fuels will grow astronomically and account for 200 billion barrels produced by 2010....
Personalities mentioned:
Doug Frater, CEO of Global Green
Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent
Companies/Organizations mentioned: Global Green Solutions Inc.
Full News Item can be found here - CCN Matthews
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Cost, Algae-Oil-Yield
