You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
http://technocrat.net/d/2008/5/2/40558
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
http://domesticfuel.com/2008/05/05/algae-based-biodiesel-makers-getting-closer-to-marketable/
http://domesticfuel.com/2008/05/05/algae-based-biodiesel-makers-getting-closer-to-marketable/
Monday, May 5, 2008
Kingsburgh Sewage Project in Durban Aims at Fuel from Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Durban is helping to develop a new liquid fuel technology which involves harvesting tiny plants and nutrients from local sewage works.
Unlike other plant-based biofuels which require vast tracts of fertile farmland or the diversion of food crops into fuel tanks, the Durban experiment involves growing algae in semi-purified sewage water and then converting these microscopic plant organisms into a liquid fuel that can power diesel cars and trucks.
Engineers are about to start converting part of the Kingsburgh sewage treatment works into a biodiesel farming experiment as part of a two-year scientific pilot project run by the Durban University of Technology's school of water and wastewater technology.
Durban is helping to develop a new liquid fuel technology which involves harvesting tiny plants and nutrients from local sewage works.
Unlike other plant-based biofuels which require vast tracts of fertile farmland or the diversion of food crops into fuel tanks, the Durban experiment involves growing algae in semi-purified sewage water and then converting these microscopic plant organisms into a liquid fuel that can power diesel cars and trucks.
Engineers are about to start converting part of the Kingsburgh sewage treatment works into a biodiesel farming experiment as part of a two-year scientific pilot project run by the Durban University of Technology's school of water and wastewater technology.
More from here
Oilgae Academic Edition lists companies involved in algae energy commercial research, for students and researchers to get in touch with industrial collaborations.
Bionavitas from Seattle Looks at Alternative Markets for Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Seattle-area start-up Bionavitas is one of several companies moving into the algae business. Because it doesn't compete with food and has a high energy density, algae has a lot of potential as a source of biodiesel.
But it will take years before algae biodiesel will make a dent in the petroleum diesel market, said Bionavitas CEO and co-founder Michael Weaver.
So in the short term, the company is growing algae for alternative markets: oils for pharmaceuticals and waste water treatment.
Seattle-area start-up Bionavitas is one of several companies moving into the algae business. Because it doesn't compete with food and has a high energy density, algae has a lot of potential as a source of biodiesel.
But it will take years before algae biodiesel will make a dent in the petroleum diesel market, said Bionavitas CEO and co-founder Michael Weaver.
So in the short term, the company is growing algae for alternative markets: oils for pharmaceuticals and waste water treatment.
More from here
Oilgae Comprehensive Report provides extensive details on profiles and info on over a hundred companies and commercial efforts in this domain.
PetroAlgae Looking to Test Commercial Algae Biofuel in 2009
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
While corn and sugar crops are blamed for deforestation, fertilizer runoff, and societal damage, algae promises to possibly provide a better solution. Melbourne, Fla. based PetroAlgae is looking to test a commercial algae biofuel solution next year. The company uses strains of the tiny organism developed by researchers at Arizona State University. They are developing harvesting methods and bioreactors to take full advantage of the new fuel source, and allow it to be affordably mass produced.
Fred Tennant, PetroAlgae's vice president of business development, is among the leaders in the endeavor. He is overseeing the development of a process in which algae is harvested from fresh-water ponds and then converted to oil and refined to biodiesel. The byproducts are equally valuable, and can be used as a protein rich animal feed.
The plant may be able to strike deals with electricity utilities too.
More from here
While corn and sugar crops are blamed for deforestation, fertilizer runoff, and societal damage, algae promises to possibly provide a better solution. Melbourne, Fla. based PetroAlgae is looking to test a commercial algae biofuel solution next year. The company uses strains of the tiny organism developed by researchers at Arizona State University. They are developing harvesting methods and bioreactors to take full advantage of the new fuel source, and allow it to be affordably mass produced.
Fred Tennant, PetroAlgae's vice president of business development, is among the leaders in the endeavor. He is overseeing the development of a process in which algae is harvested from fresh-water ponds and then converted to oil and refined to biodiesel. The byproducts are equally valuable, and can be used as a protein rich animal feed.
The plant may be able to strike deals with electricity utilities too.
More from here
PetroAlgae Looking to Test Commercial Algae Biofuel in 2009
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
While corn and sugar crops are blamed for deforestation, fertilizer runoff, and societal damage, algae promises to possibly provide a better solution. Melbourne, Fla. based PetroAlgae is looking to test a commercial algae biofuel solution next year. The company uses strains of the tiny organism developed by researchers at Arizona State University. They are developing harvesting methods and bioreactors to take full advantage of the new fuel source, and allow it to be affordably mass produced.
Fred Tennant, PetroAlgae's vice president of business development, is among the leaders in the endeavor. He is overseeing the development of a process in which algae is harvested from fresh-water ponds and then converted to oil and refined to biodiesel. The byproducts are equally valuable, and can be used as a protein rich animal feed.
The plant may be able to strike deals with electricity utilities too.
While corn and sugar crops are blamed for deforestation, fertilizer runoff, and societal damage, algae promises to possibly provide a better solution. Melbourne, Fla. based PetroAlgae is looking to test a commercial algae biofuel solution next year. The company uses strains of the tiny organism developed by researchers at Arizona State University. They are developing harvesting methods and bioreactors to take full advantage of the new fuel source, and allow it to be affordably mass produced.
Fred Tennant, PetroAlgae's vice president of business development, is among the leaders in the endeavor. He is overseeing the development of a process in which algae is harvested from fresh-water ponds and then converted to oil and refined to biodiesel. The byproducts are equally valuable, and can be used as a protein rich animal feed.
The plant may be able to strike deals with electricity utilities too.
More from here
The Oilgae Comprehensive Report gives numerous case studies and examples of what the pioneers are doing in this domain.
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
The city's Station Two power plant near Sebree could become the latest site for research into whether algae could hold some hope for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide emissions.
The Henderson Utility Commission earlier this week gave conditional approval to allowing University of Kentucky researchers to set up a small photobioreactor at Station Two.
Station Two releases more than 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, according to UK. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. Increasing attention is being paid to reducing or capturing the gas emissions.
The city's Station Two power plant near Sebree could become the latest site for research into whether algae could hold some hope for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide emissions.
The Henderson Utility Commission earlier this week gave conditional approval to allowing University of Kentucky researchers to set up a small photobioreactor at Station Two.
Station Two releases more than 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, according to UK. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. Increasing attention is being paid to reducing or capturing the gas emissions.
Henderson Station Two Power Plant to Try Algae for CO2 Capture
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
The city's Station Two power plant near Sebree could become the latest site for research into whether algae could hold some hope for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide emissions.
The Henderson Utility Commission earlier this week gave conditional approval to allowing University of Kentucky researchers to set up a small photobioreactor at Station Two.
Station Two releases more than 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, according to UK. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. Increasing attention is being paid to reducing or capturing the gas emissions.
The city's Station Two power plant near Sebree could become the latest site for research into whether algae could hold some hope for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide emissions.
The Henderson Utility Commission earlier this week gave conditional approval to allowing University of Kentucky researchers to set up a small photobioreactor at Station Two.
Station Two releases more than 2.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, according to UK. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. Increasing attention is being paid to reducing or capturing the gas emissions.
Full report here
Oilgae Academic Edition - provides extensive details on the research efforts done by hundreds of universities in this domain.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Algae Biodiesel for Heavy-Duty Vehicles from Solazyme?
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Solazyme could be making algal biodiesel for the US military, after a test-drive demonstrated the fuel’s superior cold-weather properties when compared to commercially-available biodiesel.
Former Director of Central Intelligence and Under-Secretary of the Navy R. James Woolsey tested the fuel himself by driving to the Worldwide Energy Conference & Trade Show in an unmodified 2008 Ford F450 fueled by 100% algal biodiesel.
Solazyme is a synthetic biology company using novel methods to produce algae biodiesel. They made head turns with their algal-powered Mercedes at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. While the Mercedes was only powered by B20 (20% biodiesel), Solazyme was already highlighting the cold-weather benefits of their fuel.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Solazyme could be making algal biodiesel for the US military, after a test-drive demonstrated the fuel’s superior cold-weather properties when compared to commercially-available biodiesel.
Former Director of Central Intelligence and Under-Secretary of the Navy R. James Woolsey tested the fuel himself by driving to the Worldwide Energy Conference & Trade Show in an unmodified 2008 Ford F450 fueled by 100% algal biodiesel.
Solazyme is a synthetic biology company using novel methods to produce algae biodiesel. They made head turns with their algal-powered Mercedes at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. While the Mercedes was only powered by B20 (20% biodiesel), Solazyme was already highlighting the cold-weather benefits of their fuel.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
AlgaeWay Algae Photobioreactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Thought I'd briefly mention the AlgaeWay photobioreactor from AlgaeLink...here's a page that provides detailed info on the photobioreactor, its features, benefits and data
Thought I'd briefly mention the AlgaeWay photobioreactor from AlgaeLink...here's a page that provides detailed info on the photobioreactor, its features, benefits and data
The Oilgae Comprehensive Report gives profiles and info on over a hundred companies and commercial efforts in this domain.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Video - Vertigro Creates Ethanol from Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
See a video of the Valcent CEO explaining the method of ethanol production from algae @ this YouTube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHjg9l-hQA
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
See a video of the Valcent CEO explaining the method of ethanol production from algae @ this YouTube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHjg9l-hQA
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Video - Algae Biodiesel on CNET @ YouTube
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
A 2-minute video explaining algae biodiesel from CNET. See the video @ YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i82CXQX4yq4
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
A 2-minute video explaining algae biodiesel from CNET. See the video @ YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i82CXQX4yq4
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Isaac Berzin Listed in Time 100 for 2008
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Isaac Berzin, founder of the popular algae fuel company GreeFuel has been listed in the Time Magazine's Top 100 people in the world for 2008. Wow, that's some recognition for him and for algae fuel.
See the article here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Isaac Berzin, founder of the popular algae fuel company GreeFuel has been listed in the Time Magazine's Top 100 people in the world for 2008. Wow, that's some recognition for him and for algae fuel.
See the article here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
MIT Algae Photobioreactor Video @ YouTube
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
A nice video that shows the algae photobioreactor infrastructure @ MIT...quite good, some close-up shots as well...
See - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnOSnJJSP5c
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
A nice video that shows the algae photobioreactor infrastructure @ MIT...quite good, some close-up shots as well...
See - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnOSnJJSP5c
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Iowa Power Fund to Invest in Algae Oil Pilot by Green Plains Renewable Energy?
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Green ponds of algae could someday join golden waves of corn in Iowa's renewable energy industry if a project advanced for likely state funding through the Iowa Power Fund board this week is realized.
The Iowa Power Fund board agreed Wednesday to entered funding negotiations for the state's first algae-to-biodiesel project, offering the promise of a new feedstock for Iowa's renewable fuels industry.
A pilot plant proposed by Green Plains Renewable Energy would use three byproducts from the company's Shenandoah plant - waste water, waste carbon dioxide, and waste heat from dryers - as feedstock to grow algae. The algae would then be harvested and processed into biodiesel
The Iowa Power Fund board authorized final negotiations for $2,190,407 state grant for phase I of the two-phase project.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Green ponds of algae could someday join golden waves of corn in Iowa's renewable energy industry if a project advanced for likely state funding through the Iowa Power Fund board this week is realized.
The Iowa Power Fund board agreed Wednesday to entered funding negotiations for the state's first algae-to-biodiesel project, offering the promise of a new feedstock for Iowa's renewable fuels industry.
A pilot plant proposed by Green Plains Renewable Energy would use three byproducts from the company's Shenandoah plant - waste water, waste carbon dioxide, and waste heat from dryers - as feedstock to grow algae. The algae would then be harvested and processed into biodiesel
The Iowa Power Fund board authorized final negotiations for $2,190,407 state grant for phase I of the two-phase project.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Aquaflow Bionomic Looking at Distributed Algal Biofuel Production?
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
New Zealand-based Aquaflow Bionomic may be getting close to achieving its goal of becoming the world’s first company to viably produce large amounts of biofuel from wild algae.
Barrie Leay, Aquaflow’s chairman, said his company had successfully achieved “commercial-scale continuous harvesting of tons of wild algae” in a recent interview with Ethanol Producer Magazine. He outlined what he believed will become the new energy model -– “distributed” production –- which would do away with the inefficiencies he believes are inherent in the central plant model used by both the oil industry and ethanol producers.
In practice, this means Aquaflow would seek to spread its algae-to-biofuel production process over many harvest areas - typically 1,000 acre oxidation ponds located around the U.S.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
New Zealand-based Aquaflow Bionomic may be getting close to achieving its goal of becoming the world’s first company to viably produce large amounts of biofuel from wild algae.
Barrie Leay, Aquaflow’s chairman, said his company had successfully achieved “commercial-scale continuous harvesting of tons of wild algae” in a recent interview with Ethanol Producer Magazine. He outlined what he believed will become the new energy model -– “distributed” production –- which would do away with the inefficiencies he believes are inherent in the central plant model used by both the oil industry and ethanol producers.
In practice, this means Aquaflow would seek to spread its algae-to-biofuel production process over many harvest areas - typically 1,000 acre oxidation ponds located around the U.S.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
GeoBio Energy, Inc. Completing 2 Algae-to-Energy Pilot Projects
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
A new public company, GeoBio Energy, Inc., is putting the finishing touches on two algae-to-energy pilot projects. Each is designed to yield volumes of algae-derived biofuel that can be sold at a profit.
The first GeoBio Energy project would locate an algae-to-energy facility at a coal-fired utility power plant. Carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust gases would be sent to the algae facility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The second project would place algae-to-energy facilities at a gas and oil drilling site. The goal of that project would be water reclamation, showing how brackish water used in drilling can nourish algae for biofuel and how algae can improve the water quality for use in agriculture by removing salts and minerals it uses to grow.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
A new public company, GeoBio Energy, Inc., is putting the finishing touches on two algae-to-energy pilot projects. Each is designed to yield volumes of algae-derived biofuel that can be sold at a profit.
The first GeoBio Energy project would locate an algae-to-energy facility at a coal-fired utility power plant. Carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust gases would be sent to the algae facility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The second project would place algae-to-energy facilities at a gas and oil drilling site. The goal of that project would be water reclamation, showing how brackish water used in drilling can nourish algae for biofuel and how algae can improve the water quality for use in agriculture by removing salts and minerals it uses to grow.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Canadian Researchers Working with Algae to Fix Power Plant Emissions
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
As Canadian energy companies face growing constraints on their greenhouse gas emissions, researchers believe they have found an answer in pond scum.
Backed by oil companies and utilities, Canadian researchers are plowing ahead with plans to develop algae farms that will convert carbon dioxide from oil sands projects and coal-fired power plants into biofuels, chemicals and fertilizers.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
As Canadian energy companies face growing constraints on their greenhouse gas emissions, researchers believe they have found an answer in pond scum.
Backed by oil companies and utilities, Canadian researchers are plowing ahead with plans to develop algae farms that will convert carbon dioxide from oil sands projects and coal-fired power plants into biofuels, chemicals and fertilizers.
More from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Designer Algae Plants May Produce Hydrogen for Fuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Illinois and Northwestern University are collaborating to design plants that use photosynthesis to churn out hydrogen, which could be a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
And they think the single-celled algae is well-suited to the task.
"This is long-term research," said David Tiede, a senior chemist at Argonne. "Hydrogen is one generation or two generations away as the basis for our energy, but we have to start now to find efficient ways to extract it."
Algae has no roots, can be grown in water anywhere and creates an enzyme, hydrogenase, that separates hydrogen gas from water. Like most plants, algae combines carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to create biomass, biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. With excessive sunlight, some unwanted byproducts are converted to hydrogen by the enzyme.
Tiede and his colleagues believe they can incorporate that hydrogen into the algae's core photosynthesis process, making hydrogen a primary product.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Illinois and Northwestern University are collaborating to design plants that use photosynthesis to churn out hydrogen, which could be a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
And they think the single-celled algae is well-suited to the task.
"This is long-term research," said David Tiede, a senior chemist at Argonne. "Hydrogen is one generation or two generations away as the basis for our energy, but we have to start now to find efficient ways to extract it."
Algae has no roots, can be grown in water anywhere and creates an enzyme, hydrogenase, that separates hydrogen gas from water. Like most plants, algae combines carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to create biomass, biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. With excessive sunlight, some unwanted byproducts are converted to hydrogen by the enzyme.
Tiede and his colleagues believe they can incorporate that hydrogen into the algae's core photosynthesis process, making hydrogen a primary product.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
PetroSun Texas Algae Farm to Produce 4.4 Million Gallons of Experimental Jet Fuel
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
An Arizona energy company is betting big on algae. PetroSun Biofuels has opened a commercial algae-to-biofuels farm on the Texas Gulf Coast near scenic Harlington Harlingen Texas. The farm is a 1,100 acre network of saltwater ponds, 20 acres of which will be dedicated to researching and developing an environmental jet fuel.
PetroSun's gameplan is to extract algal oil on-site at the farms and transport it to company bideisel refineries via barge, rail or truck. The company plans to open more farms in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia in 2008.
Of all the options for future jet biofuel production, algae is considered one of the most viable. It yields 30 times more energy per acre than its closest competitor, and requires neither fresh water, arable land used for cultivation, or consumable food, giving it an advantage over ethanol. PetroSun asserts that an area the size of Maryland could produce enough algae biofuel to satisfy the entire fuel requirements of the United States.
An Arizona energy company is betting big on algae. PetroSun Biofuels has opened a commercial algae-to-biofuels farm on the Texas Gulf Coast near scenic Harlington Harlingen Texas. The farm is a 1,100 acre network of saltwater ponds, 20 acres of which will be dedicated to researching and developing an environmental jet fuel.
PetroSun's gameplan is to extract algal oil on-site at the farms and transport it to company bideisel refineries via barge, rail or truck. The company plans to open more farms in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia in 2008.
Of all the options for future jet biofuel production, algae is considered one of the most viable. It yields 30 times more energy per acre than its closest competitor, and requires neither fresh water, arable land used for cultivation, or consumable food, giving it an advantage over ethanol. PetroSun asserts that an area the size of Maryland could produce enough algae biofuel to satisfy the entire fuel requirements of the United States.
More from here
Oilgae Comprehensive Report provides extensive details on profiles and info on over a hundred companies and commercial efforts in this Algae-Fuel domain.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
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