We’ve been hearing it for decades: the next breakthrough fuel technology is just around the corner. Hydrogen, electric, fuel cells–all have shown promise to free the world from its dependence on fossil fuels. Yet for one reason or another, we wait and wait for the automakers to catch up or the technology to perfected. Meanwhile, in a relatively short-span, researchers have developed a method of extracting oil from algae and converting it to a viable fuel source. What makes algal biodiesel different from the aforementioned panaceas? Consumers will not need to wait on Detroit to take advantage of it as the current and future fleet of diesel vehicles will be able to use it with no conversion required. More importantly, algae is a rapidly renewable biodiesel feedstock that does not compete with food sources like soy beans or corn. Leading the way is Solazyme, a bioenergy upstart out of San Francisco, in a unique partnership with Chevron. Unique because instead of eschewing the help of big oil, Solazyme founders Jonathan Wilson and Harrison Dillon embraced Chevron’s R&D muscle as way to accelerate algal-biodiesel’s path to widespread commercial use. For more information check out this post from Wired magazine, and be sure to watch the trailer to “Fields of Gold,” the biodiesel documentary produced by biodiesel advocate Josh Tickell.
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6 responses so far ↓
Ravi Sadasivan // January 28, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Will spirulina compete for algae?How much algae can be grown per acre? Is it perennial?Will it become an eyesore on waterbodies?Harvesting it with 90% water content, drying it ,compacting it,converting it –does it all add up to a viable solution?
RS // February 28, 2008 at 10:55 am
What progress have you seen in algae that you think qualifies it as being economically viable (”in a relatively short-span, researchers have developed a method of extracting oil from algae and converting it to a viable fuel source”)? A demo at Sundance? Come on guys…
On a related note, while algae derived diesel may not require changes to the automotive fleet, it will take a reasonable amount of time (and money - capex/gallon will not be cheap) to scale up production capacity once the technology proves itself to be economically viable. I would venture to say that this won’t happen that much faster than it takes to turn over the auto fleet.
Dave Morrow // February 28, 2008 at 11:21 am
I think algea grown for biodiesel is proposed for desert areas. Specific ponds can be used, although salt-tolerant types could perhaps be grown in ponds built for that purpose. The water for these types could be semi-saline drain water from farms in Arizona and California.
Drying is no problem in the very dry Mojave and Sonoran desert summers. Visit Blythe or Yuma some August and you will see!
U of Vermont has done a lot of research that has many of the answers to your other questions. A little web research will show you plenty of information.
RS // February 29, 2008 at 9:21 am
Dave,
The theoretical potential of algae to be an interesting biofuel feedstock is much talked about, no one I know of would disagree with this.
When I say evidence, I’m talking about laboratory, pilot plant, or similar results that indicate that the concerns raised by John Benneman (who worked on the DOE’s Algae program) summarized at http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2541#more
can be overcome.
If you know of any, please send references.
Thanks!
mus302 // March 2, 2008 at 11:11 am
PetroSun has entered into an agreement to build an algae farm in Arizona.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=808685&k=
b cole // April 6, 2008 at 6:02 am
National Algae Association - Sold Out
The Woodlands, Texas
Algae: The Next Biofuel
Inaugural
Algae Commercialization
Business Plan and Networking Forum
April 10, 2008
http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com
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