Green Tide

Algae showing promise as alternative fuel helping dirtier fuels clean up

History

  1978 Aquatic Species Program  US Department of Energy  Energy from Algae --> Biodiesel from Algae  Discontinued 1996  Report of DOE findings in 1998 Current research in Private Sector

Key Players

 Various Startup Companies  Solazyme  PetroSun  GreenFuel  Algal Biomass Organization

About the ABO

 Mission Statement

The Algal Biomass Organization promotes the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from microalgae.

The Great Green Hype

      Consumes CO2 Pressed into Biofuel No competition with food crops Biproducts   Oxygen Useful Solid Materials Consumes Fewer Resources than other options Dirty fuel to clean fuel?

The Great Green Hype

 $2 billion venture capital for alternative energy startups + > +

Other benefits

Potential Problems

 Not enough green for the green!  More R & D needed  High Yield Strain  Efficient Cultivation  Protecting Monoculture

Conclusions

     Great Potential for Biofuel Large Company Interest Shows Promise Large amounts of money being dedicated to alternative energy Compatible with current technology Will not happen over night

References

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBJ66Oim_Xw  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel  http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/technology/2008/0 7/25/the-next-generation-of-alternative-energy.html

 http://www.algalbiomass.org/  http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=1699