Lynch Explains Algae Technology in SCIA Annual Meeting

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"There is a lot of hope and excitement in Shenandoah, and that is rebolstered after tonight's meeting," SCIA Executive Director Gregg Connell told the record crowd.

From left: Gregg Connell, Nancy Maher and Kevin Lynch sit and watch as new SCIA Vice President Dick Profit talks on behalf of new President Ron Oestmann at Monday’s annual meeting.

Lynch is the CEO of BioProcess Algae and talked about the impact algae could have on Shenandoah - and the world.BioProcess is a joint venture, involving Green Plains Renewable Energy, researching the feasibility for producing oil for biofuels at the ethanol plant in Shenandoah.Lynch, of Dublin, Ireland, has been tapped to lead his company through the first phase of the local algae project, which supporters are calling one of the first of its kind.

"Shenandoah could become the Saudi Arabia of ethanol," Lynch told the crowd. "Currently the US imports substantly over 50 percent of its petroleum, from a handful of countries. In the next couple of years those countries are going to dwindle to a few countries in the Middle East and Russia."Lynch said with the oil producing possibilities of algae, the focus of oil production could shift from overseas to the United States - in particular Iowa.Lynch said although several companies worldwide are researching algae as an energy source, he believes BioProcess has the upper hand for several reasons.

He believes the technology behind their process for growing the algae and extracted its oil is superior, plus they have all the necessary components - namely water and carbon dioxide which is a byproduct of producing ethanol.Lynch also said GPRE has another valuable asset once oil production from the algae gets underway, and that is distribution.Lynch went on to say not only is the energy producing capabilities of this project exciting, but also it was also be something that helps out the environment by using excess carbon dioxide."We have a possibility or probability that CO2 is bad, and the certainty that we can do something about it," he said. "It's certainly something we should act upon."

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