Can Biofuels From Algae or Garbage Solve Our Energy Problems

Biofuels are fuels that are made from organic material, which has traditionally meant organic plant material that is refined into a fuel. Once refined, the biofuel can be utilized in an internal combustion engine to provide power for a vehicle or can be utilized in a burner to provide heat to a building. Recent advancements in the science of growing algae for biofuels and refining organic garbage into biofuels hold out hope that our energy problems could someday be solved using biofuels.

http://rocknj.hubpages.com/hub/Can-Biofuels-From-Algae-or-Garbage-Solve-Our-Energy-Problems

Lets find that next perspective needle in the haystack.

Has anyone heard anything about Sapphire Energies IPO? When it will happen?

We will only learn after we suffer the worst ramifications that global pollution has to offer. If than?

Algae fuel is the future. Cleaning air instead of polluting it. However, I doubt the gas companies will every let it breathe a breath.

The human race is stupid beyond belief!!! It is estimated that if they could stop the gulf leak today, it is going to cost around $13 billion to clean up the mess... How much algae oil production infrastructure could have been built for $13 billion. I'll bet it would have meant a lot more algae oil produced than what they were ever going to get out of that friggen well!

Origin Oil (OOIL) got a customer

They have a customer for the Fracturing System and the Extraction System: “OriginOil’s Quantum Fracturing System breaks down nutrients such as CO2 into micro-particles that stay suspended in water longer, allowing algae to feed more efficiently. The Single-Step Extraction system is the first commercial “wet” extraction system, able to separate algae oil from its biomass without costly and energy-intensive dewatering operations.”

http://www.originoil.com/company-news/originoil-announces-its-first-customer.html

OriginOil Announces Its First Customer
Industry leader MBD Energy intends to purchase algae feeding and extraction systems

Los Angeles, CA May 10, 2010 – OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced that industry leader MBD Energy Limited has become the company’s first algae-producing customer. Anglo American, one of the world’s largest mining companies, is a cornerstone investor in MBD Energy.

The parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a multi-phase commercialization program under which OriginOil will supply MBD Energy, an Australia-based company, with its Quantum Fracturing™ and Single-Step Extraction™ systems. Andrew Lawson, Managing Director of MBD Energy, said: “We are delighted to become OriginOil’s first major customer and we look forward to working with the OriginOil team to forge a comprehensive commercial relationship with game-changing potential in the exciting third-generation biofuels space.”

Three of Australia’s largest coal fired power generators have committed to building test facilities adjacent to their power stations using MBD’s proprietary growth system, the Algae Synthesizer, where smoke-stack CO2 emissions are captured and used to grow oil-rich algae in solar bioreactors. This process effectively achieves BIO-CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage). In the full production systems, OriginOil’s technology will be integrated into the MBD system to enhance algae growth and perform oil extraction.

In the initial phase, OriginOil will equip MBD Energy’s research and development facility at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, where testing will take place. The two companies agreed that, subject to the success of the initial test phase, MBD will purchase significantly larger feeding and OriginOil extraction units to serve facilities planned for its three Algal Synthesizer power station projects in Australia: Tarong Energy (Queensland), Loy Yang A (Victoria) and Eraring Energy (New South Wales).

Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO said: “We have been looking for a partner with the resources and scaling capabilities to rapidly industrialize algae production with a focus on the long-term development of our industry. We are delighted to have found this partner in MBD Energy.” Eckelberry added, “Many thanks go to MBD’s Larry Sirmans and Enrico Bombardieri, and our own Dr. Pattarkine, for their vision and persistence in making this partnership possible.”

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh officially opened MBD’s expanded R&D facility in November 2009. Premier Bligh said: “The revolutionary algal carbon capture and storage (BIO-CCS) technology is already proving successful in trials and will soon be rolled out at three coal fired power stations, including Tarong Power Station near Kingaroy. This technology has the potential to revolutionize carbon capture in Queensland and around the world.” She added: “As our state continues to grow and coal remains a key export, it is essential that we devise new ways to manage the impact of that growth on our environment.”
The Queensland Premier also announced that MBD would shortly commence construction of a one-hectare pilot plant at South Eastern Queensland’s Tarong Power Station. The trial aims to capture 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and, if successful, could expand over the next 5 to 10 years to consume more than half of Tarong’s problem flue-gas emissions.

MBD’s Andrew Lawson said that each of the three current MBD power station projects has the potential to then grow to 80-hectare commercial plants, each capable of producing 11 million liters of oil for plastics and transport fuel, and 25,000 tonnes of drought-proof animal feed annually. He said that the projects will eventually consume more than half of each of the power station’s problem flue-gas emissions.

OriginOil’s Quantum Fracturing System breaks down nutrients such as CO2 into micro-particles that stay suspended in water longer, allowing algae to feed more efficiently. The Single-Step Extraction system is the first commercial “wet” extraction system, able to separate algae oil from its biomass without costly and energy-intensive dewatering operations.

About OriginOil, Inc. (web address: www.originoil.com)
OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce "new oil" from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products, such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents, without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil-producing feedstock, such as corn and sugarcane, often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies.

About MBD Energy Limited (web address: www.mbdenergy.com)
MBD is an Australian based public, unlisted technology company. One of the world's largest mining companies, Anglo American, became a cornerstone investor in MBD in 2009 and Anglo Coal's Global CEO, Seamus French, has recently joined as a non-executive director of MBD Energy. The MBD Energy Board is chaired by former BHP Chairman, Jerry Ellis. MBD has a joint research and development facility located at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville, Queensland. MBD Energy and its JCU team are regarded as international leaders in the use of captured flue-gases as feedstock to produce algal biomass for Bio-CCS. In addition to the project at Tarong Power Station, MBD Energy currently has two similar projects underway with Loy Yang Power in Victoria and Eraring Energy in New South Wales. MBD Energy is a founding member of the Bio CCS program. The program is made up of a number of regional projects with each targeting 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas sequestration per year by 2020.

OOIL. Layered outdoor system might be interesting.

Overall, it will be interesting to see if OOIL’s vision of this industry being carried by small entrepreneurs works out. They are trying to develop and sell the apparatus rather than grow the algae themselves.

PR
OriginOil Announces Breakthrough Layered-Growth Invention
http://www.originoil.com/company-news/originoil-announces-breakthrough-layered-growth-invention.html

PRESENTATION
http://www.originoil.com/pdf/OriginOil_The_Growth_Challenge_NAA_20100429_V2a.pdf

As far as I know, up to this point OOIL has been focused on an indoor bioreactor system with lights. And of course they developed their method for separating the oil from the algae without having to harvest the algae, which presumably could be used with this multi-layer outdoor system. One slide in the presentation points out that the system also has optional lights for 24-hour operation. The final slide in the presentation under “What’s Next?” says “Integration with all other OriginOil processes, for a complete production system.”

BEHL & ENTK...hand-in-hand on algae biofuels. eom

WTWO interviewed by Forbes! Called it Landfill Eliminator!

OOIL had huge algae oil extraction news yesterday

WTWO gets contract to turn a Maryland city's gargage into energy..

BEHL recieved research grant yesterday.. WTWO announced contract with battery recycler Toxco today

GERS going nuts on corn oil patent

WTWO News + article in Biomass Magazine this month..
GO ALGAE FUELS!!!

BEHL and WTWO both had PR's today also.. Algae fuels are gaining traction

OriginOil done with phase 1 with government.. 2&3 being negotiated

Just found this board

Looking forward to engage in some discussion on BEHL, INCL, KEPI (and possibly others) and links between firms in this field. I tend to believe that a sort of consortium is forming here between those firms...any thoughts?

BEHL news today..

OriginOil Announces New Algae Growth System for Use in Wastewater Facilities

- Company files patent for innovative surface-mounted algae system to help treat wastewater and produce algae for fuel -

Los Angeles, CA September 30, 2009 – OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced an innovative production system using a type of algae that attaches itself to growth surfaces. The new system helps pursue clean water goals while generating algae for fuel and other valuable products in wastewater treatment plants.



“Previous attempts at using surface-mounted algae were not very scalable,” said OriginOil CEO Riggs Eckelberry. “OriginOil’s Attached Growth System delivers scalability and throughput in an industrial process that delivers light more efficiently to grow algae for fuel and helps process wastewater at the same time.”


The company recently filed for patent protection of the new Attached Growth System, its ninth patent application, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Growing Algae on a Solid Surface.” OriginOil will integrate the process into the demonstration algae system now being built at its headquarters.



Growing algae in water is a challenge because as it grows, the algae thickens and stops light. One solution is OriginOil’s Helix Bioreactor™ which puts the lights inside the tank. Another method is to rotate the algae periodically out of the water so it can be exposed to the light. OriginOil’s Attached Growth System uses types of algae that will attach to surfaces rotating in and out of the water, exposing the algae to sunlight or artificial light. At harvest time, the algae is scraped off as a sludge, greatly decreasing the energy cost of dewatering during oil extraction.

In wastewater treatment plants, OriginOil’s Attached Growth System can be configured to encourage bacterial growth in addition to the algae. Combining algal and bacterial growth makes for better nutrient extraction than either one of them alone, contributing to clean water goals while making fuel and absorbing CO2.

OriginOil Chief Scientist and clean water veteran Dr. Vikram Pattarkine said: “We demonstrated in our cost analysis, at the National Algae Association in Houston earlier this month, that algae can be far more profitable when located in wastewater treatment environments. This technology will multiply the benefit.”

CEO Eckelberry added: “We are proud to present this technology while the second Governors' Global Climate Summit is in progress here in Los Angeles. In addition to being a renewable energy pioneer, California is in the grips of a long-term drought and can clearly use any technology that allies clean water with sustainable fuel production.”

CYPW announced Korean patent approval.. Hurry up.. somebody start producing algae oil.. the engine that runs on it is ready to rock!

NEWS --

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Sep 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cyclone Power Technologies
(Pink Sheets:CYPW) received the "Algaepreneur 2009 Award" at the National Algae
Association Conference, held last week in Houston, TX.

The Algaepreneur Award honors companies and individuals who make important
contributions to the development and commercialization of algae-based fuels. It
is usually bestowed on algae fuel producers and marketers; however, Cyclone is
the first honoree of the award outside these fields. The National Algae
Association (NAA) is the leading trade organization for algae researchers,
producers and financiers.

Cyclone received the NAA award for its heat regenerative, Rankine cycle engine,
an efficient and earth-friendly modern steam engine capable of running on
virtually any fuel, including today's most promising biofuels. In tests
performed by the company earlier this year, the Cyclone engine's fuel atomizers
and combustion chamber successfully burned several different variations and
grades of the same strain of algae fuel without engine modification and, equally
important, without expensive processing of the fuel. It is this adaptability in
utilizing algae fuels, as well as other renewable and traditional fossil fuels,
to power generators, automobiles and virtually any other engine application in
the near future which marks a major milestone for the industry.

Recently, major corporations such as Chevron and ExxonMobil have made large
investments in algae fuel production, and Continental Airlines has demonstrated
algae as a usable fuel for jet planes. Algae can be processed to produce a
carbon neutral oil-based fuel which can be grown almost anywhere without
competing with worldwide food supplies.

Cyclone was also featured on Channel 39 News (Houston) during the conference, a
video of which can be viewed on the company's website at:
http://www.cyclonepower.com/video.html.

CORPORATE PROFILE

Cyclone Power Technologies is the developer of the award-winning Cyclone Engine
-- an eco-friendly external combustion engine with the power and ve rsatility to
run everything from portable electric generators and garden equipment to cars,
trucks and locomotives. Invented by company founder and CEO Harry Schoell, the
patented Cyclone Engine is a modern day steam engine, ingeniously designed to
achieve high thermal efficiencies through a compact heat-regenerative process,
and to run on virtually any fuel - including bio-diesels, syngas or solar -
while emitting fewer greenhouse gases and irritating pollutants into the air.
Currently in its late stages of development, the Cyclone Engine was recognized
by Popular Science Magazine as the Invention of the Year for 2008, and was
presented with the Society of Automotive Engineers' AEI Tech Award in 2006 and
2008. Additionally, Cyclone was recently named Environmental Business of the
Year by the Broward County Environmental Protection Department. For more
information, visit www.cyclonepower.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain sta tements in this news release may contain forward-looking information
within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor
created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included
in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential
future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements
will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. The company cautions that
these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in
this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.

SOURCE: Cyclone Power Technologies



CONTACT:
For Cyclone Power Technologies, Pompano Beach
Media Contact
Will Wellons, 407-462-2718
will@wellonscommunications.com
or
Company Contact
Frankie Fruge, 954-943-8721
info@cyclonepower.com

Solazyme Signs U.S. Department of Defense Contract to Develop Navy Fuels from Algae

http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/1494728.html

Contract Signifies Big R&D and Commercialization Leap Forward for Solazyme’s Renewable Oil Production Platform

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Solazyme, Inc., the renewable oil production company and leader in algal synthetic biology, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to research, develop, and demonstrate commercial scale production of algae-derived advanced biofuel that meets the United States Navy’s rigorous specifications for military tactical platforms. Solazyme will utilize its innovative large-scale algal oil production process to provide renewable F-76 Naval Distillate fuel for testing and fuel certification to demonstrate it meets all military specifications and functional requirements.

The contract will further advance research and development on large scale advanced biofuel production from algae. It includes both R&D and fuel delivery components and calls for delivery of over 20,000 gallons of Soladiesel®F-76 Renewable Naval Distillate fuel to the Navy for compatibility testing over the next year. F-76 Naval Distillate is similar to diesel fuel and is the primary shipboard fuel used by the Navy.

“The fuels made with our algal technology reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 85% versus standard petroleum based fuels,” said Jonathan Wolfson, Solazyme’s CEO. “We are honored to be working with the U.S. Navy to develop one of the world’s newest and cleanest fuels.”

“The Navy, the Defense Energy Support Center, the Defense Logistics Agency and the entire Department of Defense, have taken a true leadership position in moving forward to utilize clean and renewable oil production technology to address both the national energy security needs of our country and the environmental challenges facing our planet,” Wolfson added.

Solazyme’s technology will help the DoD reduce its carbon footprint, combat global climate change and lead in the development of clean and renewable energy sources. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is a national security imperative, and Solazyme’s technology focuses on producing an abundant, domestic and renewable source for oil and fuels. Solazyme has already produced Soladiesel®F-76 that has been delivered to the Department of Defense for initial testing and has met the Navy’s F-76 specification. This program will lead to the eventual certification of Soladiesel®F-76 Naval distillate for commercial sale to the U.S. Military.

About Solazyme:

Solazyme, Inc. is a renewable oil and bioproducts company and the leader in algal biotechnology. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s unique technology allows algae to produce oil and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale. These natural oils and biomaterials are tailored not only for fuel production, but also as replacements for fossil-derived petroleum and a variety of natural plant oils and compounds, making them useful in a wide range of products: from oleochemicals, to cosmetics, to foods. Solazyme’s oils and fuels provide compelling solutions to increasingly complex issues of fuel scarcity, energy security and environmental impact while fitting cleanly into the pre-existing multi-trillion dollar fuel infrastructure. Solazyme’s investors include Braemar Energy Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Roda Group, and Vantage Point Venture Partners. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.solazyme.com.

CYPW announced today that they will be showing their algae oil burning engine at the National Algae Conference in 2 weeks..

more WTWO construction news today..

WTWO released some stuff about prospective contracts at around noon and the thing took off like somebody goosed it! LOL! With crude oil prices going through the roof lately, I think some of these small algae companies are really going to run long and hard... Have a good w/e all!

WTWO news out... "W2 Energy Inc. Begins Construction of Commercial Non Thermal Reactor" http://www.pinksheets.com/pink/quote/quote.jsp?symbol=wtwo

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE57D4GS20090814

http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2955
BP invests $10 million in Martek algae collaboration
By Susanne Retka Schill


Posted August 12, 2009, at 11:18 a.m. CST

BP Amoco Plc is collaborating with Martek Biosciences Corp., a company with more than 20 years of experience growing algae for the nutritional supplement market, in the latest bid to bring large-scale algae biofuels to commercialization. Under the terms of the multiyear agreement, the two firms will work together to establish proof of concept for large-scale, cost-effective microbial biodiesel production through fermentation, according to the joint announcement.

The two companies announced the signing of a joint development agreement on Aug. 11. BP will contribute up to $10 million in the initial phase of the collaboration, which leverages Martek’s expertise in microbial oil production and BP’s production and commercialization experience in biofuels. Martek will perform the biotechnology research and development while BP will contribute to its integration within the biofuels value chain.

Maryland-based Martek posted revenues of $350 million in fiscal year 2008 from the sales of algae-derived nutritional supplements. The company has facilities in Colorado, Kentucky and South Carolina, producing the company’s two patented strains of microalgae that produce oils rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A similar patented process was developed for a fungus that produces an oil rich in arachidonic acid (ARA). Both DHA, an omega-3 oil, and ARA are important nutrients in infant formulas.
"Martek is pleased to partner with BP's alternative energy team, to combine our unique algae-based technologies and intellectual property for the creation of sustainable and affordable technology for microbial biofuel production," said Steve Dubin, Martek CEO. "BP's global leadership and commitment to alternative energy solutions complements Martek's own commitment to responsible and sustainable products and production."

"BP is very pleased to be entering this important partnership with Martek," said Philip New, CEO BP Biofuels. "As an alternative to conventional vegetable oils, we believe sugar-to-diesel technology has the potential to deliver economic, sustainable and scaleable biodiesel supplies. In partnering with Martek, we combine the world's leading know-how in microbial lipid production with our expertise in fuels markets and applications, and our more recent experience in biofuels production and commercialization."

Martek currently produces algae in a closed, dark system where the algae are fed sugars in a fermentation process similar to yeast growing on corn sugar, in contrast to the photosynthetic processes being developed by others in the algae-to-fuel race. The sugar-to-biodiesel pathway will use advanced biological science to convert sugars derived from biomass into lipids which are then converted into fuel molecules through chemical or thermocatalytic processes. The process has the potential to deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 90 percent when compared with traditional fossil fuel. The sugar can be derived from a wide variety of biomass feedstocks such as sugarcane, bagasse, energy grass and woodchips, according to the announcement, all high-yielding feedstocks that can be produced at scale. The use of sustainable, nonfood, plant biomass as a feedstock reduces exposure to vegetable oil prices as well.

Since 2006, BP has announced investments of more than $1.5 billion in biofuels research, development and operations, and has announced investments in production facilities in Europe, Brazil and the U.S. This includes partnerships with other companies to develop the technologies, feedstocks and processes required to produce advanced biofuels, and $500 million over 10 years in the Energy Biosciences Institute, at which biotechnologists are investigating applications of biotechnology to energy. BP is a leading player in the global biofuels market. In the U.S., BP blended and distributed more than 1 billion U.S. gallons of ethanol in 2008.

SOURCE: BIODIESEL MAGAZINE

WTWO building an algae plant

National Algae Association on Fast-Track Commercialization of the Algae Production Industry
Wednesday 07/29/2009 8:50 AM ET - Market Wire



Related Companies
Symbol Last %Chg
CYPW 0.18 -10.00%

As of 3:58 PM ET 7/29/09
National Algae Association is pleased to announce its next conference for commercialization of "Algae: The New Oil," which will be held on September 17-18, 2009, at the Sheraton North Houston. Early registration ends August 1, 2009!
Algae researchers, algae oil production companies, equipment companies and algaepreneurs will present leading-edge breakthroughs in the algae industry. Committed speakers and topics include: algae research update, changes to and status of the NAA's proposed college curriculum program, project financing by Stoel Rives LLP, harvesting by AlgaeVenture Systems, Mi-Kyung Kim from the Korean Phycology Society will discuss how to enhance microalgae, BARD LLC will present its harvesting system, and Alfa Laval will talk about its algae/water separation tests. Bayer Material Science will be presenting closed-loop algae photobioreactors using Makrolon polycarbonate, Schaefer Bio-Engineering, OriginOil and Cyclone Power Technologies will make presentations, Westar Trade Resources will walk us through the grant application process, Bruker Optics will discuss high-throughput bulk lipid content analysis in algae using TD-NMR technology without using chemicals, XL Renewables will discuss its open pond system, universities from Florida and Louisiana will present the results of their studies on the uses of algae already growing in the Gulf of Mexico, and, travel schedule permitting, a representative of Sandia Labs will update the presentation he made at our workshop in Orlando in June. Discussions will also include the Algaepreneur of the Year award guidelines.
Registration information is available at NAA's website, www.nationalalgaeassociation.com.
NAA BUYING CONSORTIUM FORMED TO HELP BUILD THE ALGAE INDUSTRY!!!
The algae production industry is moving at a fast pace and everyone is sensitive about lowering algae production costs. Buying power is one of the keys to the success of our industry. NAA is building a Buying Consortium to help its members DRIVE DOWN ALGAE PRODUCTION COSTS to build algae farms and production plants more cost efficiently. For information, contact us at info@nationalalgaeassociation.com.

Solix Biofuels Begins Large-Scale Production of Algae-Based Biofuels at Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility

http://ca.sys-con.com/node/1046364

COLLINS, CO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/23/09 -- Solix Biofuels, Inc. ("Solix"), an alternative energy technology company for the large-scale commercialization of microalgae-based fuels and co-products, announced today the completion of construction and start of algal oil production at its Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility. Algal oil production began on July 16, 2009 following the inoculation of the facility with microalgae. The Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility will be in full-scale commercial operation by late summer 2009.

The Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility is expected to be producing the equivalent of 3,000 gallons per acre, per year of algal oil by late 2009. During the peak growth season, microalgae can be harvested every 5-7 days. The total facility is located on a two-acre site in southwestern Colorado, on land provided by Solix's partner, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and is fully integrated with an industrial plant producing CO2 and water as waste products. Solix has plans to expand to more acres of production at the Coyote Gulch location in the near future. In addition, as the site expands, the Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility will provide new jobs to the Durango area in southwestern Colorado.

Rich Schoonover, Solix's chief operating officer, oversaw Thursday's inoculation: "Today's inoculation was an exciting moment for Solix, the state of Colorado and our country. We are ready to prove to the world the viability of algae as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels."

"The inoculation of the Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility marks a major milestone for the algal fuel industry," said Doug Henston, chief executive officer of Solix. "We are proud to contribute to this new era of algal fuel production, making Solix an alternative energy industry leader," he continued. Solix's technology responds to the strategic imperatives of the new energy economy, namely renewable sources of energy, diversification from petroleum-based fossil fuels and job creation. We are excited to be creating a viable alternative energy source to petroleum-based fuels and new jobs in the process," said Rich Schoonover.

About Solix Biofuels

Solix Biofuels, Inc., based in Fort Collins, Colo., is an alternative energy production technology company with emphasis on supplying low-cost, scalable photo-bioreactors that will enable the global production of biofuels using microalgae as a feedstock. Solix is an intellectual descendant of the U.S. Department of Energy's Aquatic Species Program, which started in 1978 to explore ways to produce biodiesel from algae. In early 2006, Solix was created to continue this work, with a goal of creating a commercially viable biofuel that will help solve climate change and petroleum scarcity without competing with global food supply. For more information visit www.solixbiofuels.com.

Exxon to Invest Millions to Make Fuel From Algae

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/exxon-to-invest-millions-to-make-fuel-from-algae/

The oil giant Exxon Mobil, whose chief executive once mocked alternative energy by referring to ethanol as “moonshine,” is about to venture into biofuels.

On Tuesday, Exxon plans to announce an investment of $600 million in producing liquid transportation fuels from algae — organisms in water that range from pond scum to seaweed, The New York Times’s Jad Mouawad reported. The biofuel effort involves a partnership with Synthetic Genomics, a biotechnology company founded by the genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter.

The agreement could plug a major gap in the strategy of Exxon, the world’s largest and richest publicly traded oil company, which has been criticized by environmental groups for dismissing concerns about global warming in the past and its reluctance to develop renewable fuels.

Despite the widely publicized “moonshine” remark a few years ago by Exxon’s chairman and chief executive, Rex W. Tillerson, the company has spent several years exploring various fuel alternatives, according to one of its top research officials.

“We literally looked at every option we could think of, with several key parameters in mind,” Emil Jacobs, vice president for research and development at Exxon’s research and engineering unit, told The Times. “Scale was the first. For transportation fuels, if you can’t see whether you can scale a technology up, then you have to question whether you need to be involved at all.”

He added, “I am not going to sugarcoat this — this is not going to be easy.” Any large-scale commercial plants to produce algae-based fuels are at least 5 to 10 years away, Dr. Jacobs told The Times.

Exxon’s sincerity and commitment will almost certainly be questioned by its most galvanized environmentalist critics, especially when compared with the company’s extraordinary profits from petroleum in recent years.

“Research is great, but we need to see new products in the market,” Kert Davies, the research director at Greenpeace, told The Times. “We’ve always said that major oil companies have to be involved. But the question is whether companies are simply paying lip service to something or whether they are putting their weight and power behind it.”

But if it proves a bona fide effort, Exxon’s move into biofuels, long the preserve of venture capital firms and biotech start-ups, could provide a big push to the Obama administration’s policy of encouraging more renewable energy.

Currently, about 9 percent of the nation’s liquid fuel supply comes from biofuels — most of it corn-based ethanol. And by 2022, Congress has mandated that biofuel levels reach 36 billion gallons.

But developing biofuels has been tricky, and Mr. Tillerson has not been alone in his skepticism. Many environmental groups and energy experts have been critical of corn-derived ethanol, because of its lower energy content and questionable environmental record.

According to Exxon, algae could yield more than 2,000 gallons of fuel per acre of production each year, compared with 650 gallons for palm trees and 450 gallons for sugar canes. Corn yields just 250 gallons per acre a year.

Exxon’s partnership with Synthetic Genomics is also a vote of confidence in the work of Dr. Venter, a maverick scientist best known for decoding the human genome in the 1990s. In recent years, he has focused his attention on a search for micro-organisms that could be turned into fuel.

“Algae is the ultimate biological system using sunlight to capture and convert carbon dioxide into fuel,” Dr. Venter told The Times.

Algal biofuel, sometimes nicknamed oilgae by environmentalists, is a promising technology. Fuels derived from algae have molecular structures that are similar to petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and would be compatible with the existing transportation infrastructure, according to Exxon.

Continental Airlines, for example, has demonstrated the fuel’s viability in a test flight of an airplane powered in part by algae-based fuel.

The Pentagon has also been looking at alternative fuels, including algae, to reduce the military’s dependence on oil.

And while cost-effective mass production of algae has eluded researchers so far, it holds potential advantages over other sources of biofuels. Algae can be grown in areas not suited for food crops, using pools of brackish water or even farming them in seawater.

Algae also has another benefit, which could eventually help cut greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Like any plant, it needs carbon dioxide to grow. But Exxon and Synthetic Genomics hope to genetically engineer new strains of algae that can absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide — like that emitted by power plants, for example.

Exxon’s investment includes $300 million for in-house studies and “potentially more” than $300 million to Synthetic Genomics “if research and development milestones are successfully met,” Exxon said.

BEHL will shape the future of the world IMHO

Algae Biofuel commercialization!

http://genedrekeke.blogspot.com/2009/07/algae-biofuel-commercialization.html

USA is digging deeper into biofuel as alternative future fuel and as role model in this regard. The whole of EU continent is embracing Biofuel to have more than 15% up to 30% of fuel to be biofuel making mandatory. Huge China is going biofuel from cassava, to sugar cane, canola and other related biofuel plants to control its fuel hunger. Elsewhere, From North to South and east and west had engaged in Biofuel developments and obvioulsy this trend will accumulate into major trades arround the globe. This will add billions of gallons per year increasing widespread interest and development, job creation and economic growth. The climate change threat and fuel reserves depletion are driving biofuel devlopment to newer heiths yearly.

One billion gallons by 2014: algal fuel price, capacity projections Algae production facility (PetroAlgae plant in Fellsmere, Florida) Biofuels Digest is projecting that algal biofuels capacity will reach 1 billion gallons by 2014, based on analysis of price and capacity projections for 2009-14 from leading companies in the field.

Algae producers are targeting to reach a $1.30 wholesale cost and 1.62 billion gallons in capacity by 2014.

Costs are based on the lowest cost provider - not an average for all providers. Sources are Biofuels Digest reports and interviews on PetroAlgae, Algenol, Solazyme, Aurora Biofuels, Sapphire Energy, PetroSun and Solix (among more than 30 algae biofuels companies whose progress towards commercialization was reviewed) , and a study prepared on algae feasibility for the Louisiana Economic Development. Production forecasts are based on interpretation of guidance from each company on forward production as well as public statements.

“The $9-$30 cost ranges cited in the latest research reflect today’s prices,” said Biofuels Digest editor Jim Lane. “That’s already competitive in some nutraceutical and food markets - for example, a pound of olive oil retails for around $17 at my store, or about $120 per gallon. But like the computer market - costs are expected to come down quickly.”

Readers expressed some confusion over the differing reports on price and capacity from research organizations, as well as public statements by algae biofuel producers regarding forward price and capacity. The prices expressed are wholesale, rather than retail.

Algal Fuel/Capacity projections, 2009-14

39 percent of 2014 capacity is expected to be built in the US, and 61 percent in other countries. 33 percent of 2014 capacity is projected to use a closed system, photobioreactor (PBR) process, with 67 percent using open pond “raceway” systems.

In 2012, 22 percent of projected capacity would utilize the closed PBR process, and 78 percent would utilize open ponds. 41 percent of capacity by 2012 is projected to be in the US. Algae biomass yields are projected in the 24-53 tons per acre per year for open pond systems.

This blog has focused on Algae as alternative. Below is an extract from biofuel digest on biofuel.

Of all the hydrocarbons that can be made from biomass or recovered from fossil reserves," begins today's Special Report: A Biofuels Commercialization Outlook, "gasoline, diesel and natural gas remain the most important end-products and are likely to remain so for some time to come. Into that mix comes the advent of biofuels, and in recent years the arrival of what are variously termed "second-generation" or advanced biofuels.

Though markets for intermediates and fuels such as methanol, propylene and ethylene are considerable, range into the billions, as high as $25 billion in the case of propylene, the market for gasoline is measured in trillions of dollars, not billions.

According to the Energy Information Administration, global liquid fuel consumption in 2008 was 85.43 million barrels a day at a US refiner averaged cost of $94.68 per barrel, or $2.95 trillion.

The biofuels market today is small - no more than $40 billion, or less than two percent of the total liquid fuels market, and not much more than the market for ethyl propylene. Talk about biofuels is all out of proportion to its market size.

Biofuels have four basic economic drivers: energy independence, climate change remediation, economic development, hedging, and the search for fuels that are lower in cost or in price volatility.

These are linked. As US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in urging her colleagues to pass the climate change bill: "remember these four words for what this legislation means: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs." Pass it they did.

Algae Movers and Shakers: a Special Digest Report:

The Algal Biomass Organization. More than 600 people attended the last annual ABO summit, and up to 1000 are expected at this year's meeting in San Diego in October, bringing together many of the best-known phycologists, producers as well as high-visibility end-users including numerous airlines. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

AlgaeVenture Systems. AlgaeVenture Systems leaped into the public eye earlier this year with a dewatering solution that it said could reduce the cost of dewatering by as much as 98 percent compared to centrifuging. Digest sources confirmed that the company has at least one commercial agreement in place with an early-stage algal fuel developer. The company's process takes water out of algae instead of algae out of water. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Algenol. Algenol has been in the news heavily in the past week, with reaction to their announced partnership with Dow Chemical. Most reaction has been positive; some continues to be skeptical. Dow Chemical announced that it will partner with Algenol Fuels to build and operate a 24-acre Texas-based algae biorefinery demonstration farm that will produce ethanol at a target cost of $1 per gallon. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Aquatic Energy. Low-cost leader Aquatic Energy first came to wider attention this spring when unveiling details of its demo stage project as well as sharing data from its first-gen efforts with an open-pod algal biomass pilot. The company said at the time it is preparing to expand from a "couple of acre" pilot in Lake Charles, to an 30-acre demonstration project that will feature the company's 1-acre open-pond system that is yielding 2500 gallons per acre without using an external CO2 source. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Aurora Biofuels. Aurora leapt into the news this spring with a projected $1.30 cost for algae in its second-generation technology, due in 2013. The company completed an 18-month pilot earlier this year, and the company's VC backer Jim Long of Gabriel Venture Partners recently told a group of biofuels execs at Biofuels: Science and Innovation that algae was "the focus" at GVP as far as biofuels. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

CAAFI. The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative doesn't get as much publicity as other organizations, but it's well worth following. Last October, the CAAFI environmental team established a lifecycle emissions framework for jet biofuels, and CAAFI provided business and economics teams in support of a 46-company meeting at the Department of Commerce last September, including both end-users and producers. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

The National Algae Association. The NAA evokes passion among its membership of algae innovators, which includes both end-users and producers and ranges from pre-seed start-ups through to high-visibility companies such as Sapphire Energy and the Air Transport Association. The Association holds popular quarterly meetings in Houston. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

OriginOil. One of the shocker industry announcements this spring came from OriginOil, in revealing a one-step process for algae dewatering and oil extraction. Last month, the company said that it had filed a Patent Cooperation Treaty application for a system that provides efficient light utilization with comparatively low energy cost in algae photobioreactors. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

PetroAlgae. PetroAlgae was most recently in the news with expansion of their international sales staff to 28 people. Licensing commenced earlier this spring with an Asian deal focused on China and part of southern Japan. The company's model farm is 12,500 acres and produces 60 Mgy of fuel and as much or more value in proteins, according to company execs. In all, PetroAlgae added nine representatives in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Sapphire Energy. Sapphire gained instant attention when it raised a stunning $100 million, and participated in the initial algae-based jet test with Continental last December. The combination were factors in propelling Sapphire to a #2 ranking in last December's 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy list. The company has been fine tuning its process in recent months, while increasing the pace of its commercialization schedule. The company has indicated it will be at 1 Mgy in production by 2011 and 100 Mgy by 2018. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Seambiotic. The main attraction in terms of algal fuel development outside of the US, Seambiotic, a global leader in the development and production of marine microalgae for the nutraceutical and biofuel industries, reappeared in the headlines this past month via an agreement with NASA Glenn Research Center to develop an on-going collaborative R&D program for optimization of open-pond microalgae growth processes. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Solazyme. Solazyme's been on a strong run throughout 2008 and 2009, recently announcing that it closed a $57 million third round of funding. $45 million of the round had previously been announced. Funds were invested by Braemar Energy Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, VantagePoint, Roda Group, Harris & Harris and Solazyme chairman Jerry Fiddler. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

Solix Biofuels. After a quiet start to the year, closed system photobioreactor pioneer Solix Biofuels completed its $16.8 million Series A capital funding that added Shanghai Alliance Investment to its group. Proceeds will be used to finance construction and commencement of operations at the company's Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility, which will be operational by late summer 2009. I2BF Venture Capital, Bohemian Investments, Southern Ute Alternative Energy LLC, Valero Energy Corp., and Infield Capital also invested in this round. More at biofuelsdigest.com.

The US Defense establishment. The Air Force, Navy, DARPA and the Defense Department have all been sponsoring projects or looking at algal fuel acquisition. DOD has two projects - one led by General Atomics and the other by SAIC, which have a goal of producing $3 fuel. Most recently, the US Navy's Mid Atlantic Coast section said it is looking to put out RFPs for 30-year contracts to produce biomass and/or fuel on Navy property.

i bought. friday seems to be an important day. do u agree?

Eh oui!~ C'est la Bomba!

Load and hold la Bomba! The master plan is under way.

mb

BEHL IS THE BOMB!!
or is it? it looks great,but before i invest, does anyone have any iportant info. thanks

Solix Biofuels Completes $16.8M Series A Funding

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/06/solix-20090630.html

Algal fuels company Solix Biofuels, Inc. completed its $16.8 million Series A funding with the addition of the international investment group, Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd. (SAIL). Solix will use the additional funding to complete construction and begin operations at its Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility, which is expected to be in full-scale commercial operation by late summer 2009.

SAIL’s contribution to the Series A Funding will increase development opportunities for Solix in Asia. Other investors in Solix’s Series A Funding include: I2BF Venture Capital, Bohemian Investments, Southern Ute Alternative Energy LLC, Valero Energy Corp., and Infield Capital.

Solix’ AGS Technology is a photobioreactor that houses closed-growth chambers that support the monoculture growth of microalgae in commercial application. It is designed to be species agnostic, enabling producers to optimize yields regardless of the algal strains used and climatic conditions encountered.

Made of material specifically designed to facilitate optimum illumination levels, the chamber design of the AGS Technology allows for five-times the surface level exposure to sunlight compared with open-pond systems, according to Solix. Controlled turbulence within the chamber circulates the algae to maximize time within the relevant field of photosynthetic activity, leading to higher yields of algae growth.

Solix projects that it will be producing at a rate of 3,000 gallons of oil per acre, per year during the summer of 2009 at the Coyote Gulch facility. This anticipated production rate is based on current production results at its Fort Collins Pilot Facility and includes consideration for increased PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) values, species optimization and operational efficiencies.

Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd. is international investment firm based in Shanghai, China that is heavily invested in numerous technology, bioscience and renewable energy companies including international investments that are focused on entities with potential to be deployed within China.

Dow and Algenol team up on algae biorefinery pilot project

http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/06/29/dow-and-algenol-team-up-on-algae-biorefinery-pilot-project/

Dow Chemical Company and Algenol Biofuels are working together to create a biorefinery that uses algae to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to ethanol. Dow, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and Membrane Technology & Research, Inc. will be providing science and technology to Algenol’s algae system. The plan is to locate the facility at Dow’s Freeport, Texas site.

The Dow/Algenol refinery will be “using algae, sunlight, CO2, and seawater” to create ethanol. Converting CO2 to biofuel is not a unique concept. At least four other companies Amyris, Petrosun, Solazyme, and Sapphire Energy are using different technologies to do the same thing.

The Algenol process differs in that it does not require arable land and uses sea water not fresh water for the algae. The process not only creates ethanol from CO2 but also produces fresh water from salt water as part of the process. For many countries worldwide, having a process that not only creates biofuel but processes salt water into fresh water would be fantastic because fresh water is so hard to find.

In that respect the Texas refinery will be a multipurpose facility similar to the Renewed World Energy system. While the Texas refinery will provide both biofuel and freshwater it will also be used as a method to clean up emissions from Dow Chemical’s nearby manufacturing plant. The Renewed World Energy system has been designed to convert power plant and industrial plant emissions into biofuel. Both systems will reduce greenhouse gases, improving the environment.

The collaboration between Dow, Algenol, NREL, Georgia Tech and Membrane Technology & Research, Inc should insure the refinery’s success unlike the now defunct GreenFuel’s attempt to develop a commercial refinery. GreenFuel was one of the best funded algae start ups that went bust when its technology developed a glitch and it was unable to meet delivery deadlines.

Algenol has requested a government grant to provide financial support during the pilot project. Once the grant is approved, the other collaborators will begin working with Algenol to get the refinery built and working.

Hi Folks..
This may be kind of off topic because this company is private, but take a look at Algaeventure Systems. In March they announced they found a way to reduce the processing costs of some types of algae by 90% to under $2 a ton. The NREL said processing costs would have to get under $50/ton in order for algae to compete with crude oil. These guy didn't just break through the barrier, they demolished it if claims are true.
I found out about them from a brochure for a military fuels conference in D.C that Cyclone Power Technologies was also presenting at last week. Cyclone was showing off a self-foraging military robot proposal.(Cyclone developed the multifueled engine for it) Cyclones CEO mentioned a really exciting algae oil extraction process he saw while he was there, so I backtracked and found these guys. Can you see $20/barrel algae oil and nearly zero pollution Cyclone engines running on it? I'm licking my chops.. LOL!
PS.. Cyclone engines run great on straight unrefined algae oil, and although they haven't tested it yet, I'm sure they could also run on algae biomass.
If our government pulls it's head out of it's posterior, they will quit throwing our tax money away, trying to make corn based ethanol work in outdated internal combustion engines.
Take care all! Happy DD..

http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3558

Why Jet Fuel First?

biofuel, thanks for the encouragement. It’s hard to know how to attack such an enormous subject, but some kind of focus or drilling down on one aspect might be interesting. Anyway, here’s a bit more on jet fuel.

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The blogger whose article appears below asked Solazyme and Aquaflow Bionomic why they chose to focus first on jet fuel rather than on gasoline for cars. (Aquaflow Bionomic is the New Zealand company that harvests wild algae which occurs naturally in effluent management systems. Solazyme is the company that grows algae in the dark in fermentation tanks.)

The chairman of Aquaflow Bionomic reportedly replied, "the markets for both (gasoline and aviation fuel) are gigantic... aviation fuel sells for twice the price of gasoline."

I tried to confirm this on the web. It does appear to be considerably more expensive, but not twice as expensive. For example,
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_refoth_dcu_nus_m.htm



(Solazyme's said, "We believe that in the medium to long term, the regular consumer should be moving into electric vehicles for going to and from work...the real impact is going to be on those kinds of vehicles that can't switch in the short term like trucks, tractors, and airplanes. These are all things that aren't going to be running on electric any time soon.")

http://www.celsias.com/article/talking-algae-biofuels-solazyme-and-aquaflow/

Posted on March 16, 2009
Talking Algae Biofuels with Solazyme and Aquaflow


[The filename of this picture is “fermentation tank.” The article doesn’t say if it’s one of Solazyme’s.]

As I've stated in several articles already (seen here, here, and here), algae biofuels are quickly coming to the forefront of peoples' attention. However, many are probably wondering why are the companies focusing on aviation fuel first? Because of the industry's laser like focus on creating aviation fuel while seemingly ignoring regular gasoline, I felt an explanation was needed. Therefore, I set out to find some answers and was able to interview both Barrie Leay, the chair of the Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation , and Dr. Tony Day, the VP of Research and Development at Solazyme .

The first and most obvious question I asked these two representatives is why were their respective companies starting with aviation fuel and not gasoline? You would think that they would want to start with the gasoline market which I thought was the largest and most lucrative liquid fuel market. However, it turns out that this isn't the case.

In an email interview, Mr. Leay answered this question by stating that though "the markets for both (gasoline and aviation fuel) are gigantic... aviation fuel sells for twice the price of gasoline." With both of these companies considered "startups", it only makes sense for them to start with the most lucrative market which, in this case, is aviation fuel. Starting anywhere else might mean they don't receive the capital to continue operations at all.

Solazyme's VP Tony Day also explained why their company is focusing on this fuel first: "We believe that in the medium to long term, the regular consumer should be moving into electric vehicles for going to and from work...the real impact is going to be on those kinds of vehicles that can't switch in the short term like trucks, tractors, and airplanes. These are all things that aren't going to be running on electric any time soon."

Airplanes, therefore, are going to need a liquid fuel, one that is both environmentally friendly and cost competitive, and that fuel could very well be algae-derived.

For those of you who might still be looking forward to the day that algae can power your car, don't fret. Day pointed out that even though Solazyme is currently focusing on producing a biodiesel that can be used in the larger transports, like airplanes, the algae they use could just as easily create gasoline for cars.

Another question I had is what are some inherent benefits that make algae a better source of aviation fuel than other biofuels like jatropha? Both of the companies' representatives came up with basically the same answer: algae is easier to grow.

"Algae is ubiquitous, it occurs everywhere, in sea water as well as fresh," Mr. Leay wrote. Dr. Day explained that with Solazyme's growth technology, it is easy to increase the scale of production without any negatives effects on the environment that are often seen with other biofuel crops.

Another question I asked Dr. Day had to do with the freezing point of algae-derived aviation fuel. One negative I have often heard about biofuels being used in airplanes is that some of these fuels have a higher chance of freezing in the pipes. This, as you can imagine, is very problematic.

Luckily, algae wouldn't have this problem. Dr. Day explained that the algae oil can have its freezing point manipulated during the hydrotreating process, a process often used to refine oil. This, therefore, eliminates the fear of the algae-derived aviation fuels freezing in the fuel tanks and pipes of the plane during flight.

Probably one of my biggest questions was what is it going to take for a plane to run on 100% algae biofuel? The answer to this question was quite heartening.

"Intrinsically, there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't run a plane on 100% algae derived jet fuel," Dr. Day stated. However, Mr. Leay from Aquaflow pointed out that "volume production" may still be one big issue that is keeping algae fuels off the commercial market. Dr. Day tends to agrees though he feels confident that Solazyme could successfully scale up their production right now if they chose to do so.

Even if either company had the ability to produce large scale amounts of algae oil right now, the fuel would still have to be subjected to multiple rigorous tests before a plane could run on 100% algae derived aviation fuel. Dr. Day explained that since these companies are looking to have their fuels used in planes, a lot of testing will need to be done beforehand.

Compared to testing a new fuel in a car, a plane doesn't have the ability to just pull over to the side of the road if the fuel somehow causes engine problems. Therefore, even though algae fuels like Solazyme have passed ASTM D1655 standards , additional test are required before full scale industry adoption. This testing process, according to Day, could take a couple years.

However, the good news is that both companies are being courted by aviation companies for their fuel. Therefore, while the fuel might not be ready tomorrow, it is definitely something that there is a high demand for on the market, ensuring its further development.

In conclusion, to use the words of Mr. Leay, all the algae biofuel companies need is just "a little more time." I hope he is right because I certainly can't wait for these fuels to enter the commercial market.

Jonathan Williams is a conservative blogger at www.BlatantReality.com and www.SCStatehouseBlog.com . He is also the founder and current president of the nonprofit organization Need by Need, Inc

http://www.pddnet.com/news-ap-outlines-plan-to-overtake-petroleum-in-renewable-e-061709/

Thanks for your detailed posts. One of the beauties of this board is that it can be used to archive a lot of information about this industry so that investors can make informed decisions.

Solazyme Funding Surpasses $76 Million

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090608005786&newsLang=en

Latest Funding Brings Total Series C Round to $57 Million with Investors Braemar Energy Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, The Roda Group and Harris & Harris Group LLC Joined by New Series C Investors Including VantagePoint Venture Partners and Strategic Investors from Key Target Markets

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil production company and leader in algal synthetic biology, announced that it has surpassed $76 million in funding, which includes a $57 million Series C financing round that just closed. Solazyme uses microalgae biotechnology to produce clean and scalable fuels, “green” chemicals, edible oils and health and wellness products.

Braemar Energy Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners led the financing round and were joined by other new investors including VantagePoint Venture Partners. All major existing investors participated in the round, including The Roda Group, Harris and Harris Group, and Solazyme Chairman Jerry Fiddler. The round also included new strategic investors in key target markets. All funding has been dispersed to Solazyme and will be used to move the company to commercialization.

"This most recent funding validates the unique value of our oil production platform and adds to our already strong financial position. Solazyme’s mission is to answer the increasing global demand for clean and renewable sources of oil. We offer sustainable and scalable technology that provides unique solutions for addressing four of the largest challenges facing our country and our planet: increasing energy demand, heightened energy security needs, energy related environmental degradation and hunger," said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme.

"Braemar’s mission is to identify and support the most promising alternative energy firms with disruptive technologies that provide meaningful clean energy solutions," said William Lese of Braemer Energy Ventures. "Solazyme’s renewable oil and advanced biofuels technology is leading the industry on the path to commercialization and will be cleanly powering our vehicles with renewable fuels that fit within the existing infrastructure."

"Solazyme has proven itself as a pioneer in the advanced biofuels space, by being the first to do many things including scale-up, production and road testing of a variety of advanced biofuels that can simultaneously meet current U.S. fuel specifications while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 80%," said Chris Schaepe, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Dan Miller from The Roda Group added, “We are proud to have been an investor in Solazyme since the early seed round, and we are increasingly excited about sizeable opportunities for Solazyme’s renewable oils in all markets from fuels, to cosmetics to nutritional oils.”

"Since 2001 VantagePoint Venture Partners has focused its CleanTech efforts on identifying and investing in the leading company in those sectors best addressing the issues of natural resource limitations, climate change and energy independence," said Stephan Dolezalek, Managing Director and CleanTech Group Lead, VantagePoint Venture Partners. "The potential role of algae in achieving these targets has long been clear, but it has taken a while for a definitive category leader to arise. We believe that Solazyme has now emerged as the preeminent player in the algal biomaterials and biofuels sector.”

Solazyme’s unique renewable oil production process grows algae in the dark in an industrial fermentation process, where the algae are fed non-food biomass and industrial byproducts including a wide variety of cellulosic materials and low-grade waste glycerol which are converted by the algae into oil. This allows the company to produce oil cleanly and economically in a controlled, large-scale process. Solazyme is currently producing thousands of gallons of oil in commercial scale facilities and has produced in-specification fuels including renewable diesel, biodiesel and jet fuel. Solazyme’s first fuel, SoladieselTM, has been successfully road tested as an unblended fuel (100%) for thousands of miles in a variety of unmodified vehicles. Additionally, Solazyme’s process is the first bridge from non–food carbohydrates and industrial waste streams to edible and renewable oils. This technology has already been shown to produce high quality oils for a multitude of purposes across a variety of industries.

About Solazyme:

Solazyme, Inc. is a renewable oil production company and the leader in algal synthetic biology. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s unique technology allows algae to produce oil in standard bioproduction facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale. These oils are tailored not only for biofuel production, but also as replacements for fossil petroleum and plant oils in a diverse range of products running from clean fuels and chemicals to cosmetics and foods. Solazyme’s oils and fuels provide compelling solutions to increasingly complex issues of fuel scarcity, energy security and environmental impact while fitting cleanly into the pre-existing multi-trillion dollar fuel infrastructure. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.solazyme.com.

Canada Consortium, Hybrid System

Here are a couple of articles about Canada’s I-CAN consortium and one of their projects, the Carbon Algae Recycling System. The first article was a footnote in Sapphire Energy’s opening remarks for the recent Senate hearing.

The initial goal here was to find a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and now they’ve been at work for about a year and half on the algae project trying to figure out what kind of algae-growing system will work in Canada’s climate. They couldn’t use an open pond system because of the cold weather, and I guess they rejected the bioreactors they looked at. Their plans now call for a hybrid pond/bioreactor system whose main component is a covered pond which is 90 cm deep instead of 30 cm. This extra depth is in order to take up less space.

So because the ponds are both covered and unusually deep, they need a lighting system, and it will be interesting to see what they come up with. (I wonder if they evaluated Bionavitas Light Immersion Technology before they start re-inventing the wheel. It seems that a lot of these groups keep starting from scratch on everything.) The schematic from the CARS website shows solar collectors on top of the pond, but I don't know if that is current.

It sounds like they are just to the point of starting to build the first prototype so they have a long way to go.

Re Bionavitas lighting technology, msg#240: http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=35843574

WEBSITES

Carbon Algae Recyling System
http://www.i-can.ca/cars-project

I-CAN
http://www.i-can.ca/

ARTICLES

The first article is concise and gives the basic story. The second article rambles a bit but it has a few additional, useful details.

http://www.bioenergymagazine.ca/article-print.jsp?article_id=377

Researchers use microalgae to develop a carbon recycling system
By Online Reporter

Web exclusive posted April 23, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. EST

Research networks and technology organizations have collaborated efforts on a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using microalgae to convert carbon dioxide into renewable fuels and bioproducts.

The Carbon Algae Recycling System project is designed by Innoventures Canada (I-CAN), a not-for-profit consortium of ten Canadian research corporations including the Alberta Research Council, Saskatchewan Research Council and Quebec’s Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Québec and Manitoba’s Industrial Technology Centre.

The objective of the project is to create a technically and economically-feasible algae conversion system suitable for Canadian weather conditions that can be integrated into large-final emitters such as power plants, refineries and other major carbon dioxide emitters. By providing an algae-based carbon management tool, I-CAN researchers can offer industries the opportunity to mitigate and convert carbon dioxied into value-added products such as biodiesel, ethanol and fertilizer.

The CARS project feeds low grade waste heat and industrial flue gas, directly into man-made ponds to heat and feed the growth of microalgae, which can be harvested and processed into biofuels and other bioproducts.

Stage one of the project, which was completed in 2008, focused on identifying the conditions in which algae strains thrived. Ninety-eight per cent of the world’s commercial algae facilities use an open pond system for producing algae, while the remaining 2 per cent use photobioreactors said Project Manager, Quinn Goretzky, “After looking at the option between open ponds and photobioreactors, we came up with a hybrid system,” added Cindy Jackson, lead engineer on the project.

CARS researchers are now developing a 90 centimeter-deep, in-ground, covered pond that is subject to an intense lighting system that is able to penetrate every layer of algae and capture approximately 233,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. While traditional ponds are 30 cm deep, the covered pond system helps maintain a consistent temperature and environment and is able to achieve greater results by optimizing light conditions, lowering capital costs and reducing its overall environmental footprint. CARS researchers will tests its concepts at a bench scale level and then will progressively scale up from a small pond to a large pilot pond as the project develops, Jackson said.

The ultimate direction of the project is to produce a demonstration facility that can grow algae commercially year-round and is integrated with a large emitter, Goretzky said. “[We hope our research] takes the traditional industry base in Canada, reduces its carbon footprint, maintains jobs and adds a whole new industry base that is carbon neutral and environmentally friendly,” he said.

The next stage of the study will involve the engineering and construction of a lab-scale demonstration facility at an industrial site. The project is anticipated to be complete in 2012.

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http://www.albertaoilmagazine.com/?p=784&year=2009

World’s oldest organism turns carbon into biofuel
by Bill Sass

Quinn Goretzky is a man who wants to NOx your SOx off. He’s project manager for Innoventures Canada’s Carbon Algae Recycling System (CARS), a project that aims not only to remove carbon dioxide from flue gases by feeding it to algae, but also to make money doing it.

And CO2 may not be the only candidate to turn into a generator of tidy profits. Other noxious substances – like NOx (nitrogen oxide) and SOx (sulfur oxide) – could put money into a corporate bank account.

Innoventures Canada (I-CAN) is a consortium of 10 provincial research agencies and institutes, including the Alberta Research Council. The national organization’s sole purpose is to find effective ways to commercialize new technologies by applying them cheaper, better and faster.

It can be a risky business, Goretzky says. There’s no guarantee an innovation will actually pan out – the idea of I-CAN is to spread the risk around.

The CARS project was conceived about 18 months ago. “The board that came together for I-CAN asked themselves, ‘What’s a big project that could be taken on? What’s something that we could demonstrate that we could do and also address a pretty pressing issue of the day?’”

A few years ago, as today, a pressing issue was climate change and its relationship to carbon dioxide emissions. Although using CO2 for enhanced oil recovery is one way to give emissions reductions an economic upside, that market is well known to be limited by both industry demand and prices available for materials used as life-extending injections into old wells. Simply capturing the greenhouse gas and locking it away in an underground vault “is almost a pure cost function,” Goretzky says.

“But what if we turned the question upside down? Can you make money off of CO2 beyond these formats? Could you do it in such a way to get positive returns off it?”

A proposal was put together and three I-CAN members came together – the Alberta Research Council, Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec and the Saskatchewan Research Council – to determine if it was feasible to grow algae commercially in Canada while at the same time consuming large amounts of CO2.

The result was a conceptual model worth further investigation, Goretzky reports.

The Alberta government thinks the idea is worth pursuing as well. The minister of Advanced Education and Technology, Doug Horner, notes Alberta is the lead funder for the project and is watching it with great interest.

So far, between $200,000 and $250,000 of public funds have been invested. “Down the road, if we see there’s some good potential in this, we’re not averse to looking at second-round financing through the various funds that we have,” Horner says.

The CARS project is another exploration direction in dealing with excess CO2 projection, the minister says. “Carbon sequestration is one part, but there’s no one silver bullet for greenhouse gas management and this is another piece of the puzzle.”

The new idea packs plenty of potential appeal to environmentalists because it represents a step beyond the CCS theme of tacking equipment onto industrial operations. “It’s speeding up Mother Nature’s processes of soaking up CO2 from the air through plants and photosynthesis. It’s also about creating biofuel,” Horner says.

The CARS project is also about efficiency. Algae create about 50 times more ethanol and biodiesel per acre as a feedstock than some oilseeds or corn or soy beans, Horner estimates.

“You’re going to burn that and create more emissions, but, the thing is, it’s renewable. There are interesting things coming out of the woodwork and this is one of those interesting things,” the minister says.

He’ll get no argument about that from Goretzky. “We have a concept here that we have demonstrated could be economical under certain conditions. We think it’s compelling enough to warrant going on to the next stage.”

That next stage involves a lot of laboratory bench-scale work on building small systems and gradually scaling them up to the point where a demonstration project can be built within three years. Now, the real science and engineering production begins – and the star of the show are the humble algae, which are just about the oldest species of life on the planet

CARS researchers will look for “the best algae Mother Nature can produce” and that can thrive in Canadian climates, Goretzky says. There are tens of millions of algae strains. CARS narrowed the number down to 21 candidates and “fully characterized” a short list of five.

“I’d like to say we scratched the surface of that work, but in all honesty, we’re maybe reaching towards the doorbell in terms of what has to be done before we go into the big algae house.”
No matter what strains are finally used, they all have the same three basic components – fatty acids, carbohydrates and proteins. The fatty acids have gotten most of the press so far – that’s the stuff that can be turned into biodiesel and other fuels.

“In building the CARS system, we realized you couldn’t go with a single value-added product at the other end. We’ve conceptualized two or more products,” Goretzky says.

“If you’re just going after biodiesel and 45 per cent of that algae was fatty acids, you still have that other 55 per cent of that algae. You might be producing piles of biodiesel, but you have this growing pile of algae carcasses with parts missing – which has been one of the concerns we’ve gotten from industry. Clearly, you have to come at this from the perspective of multiple products.”

The carbohydrates can become ethanol and the proteins are generally converted into a fertilizer or into animal feed. A range of biochemicals and nutrients, known as nutriceuticals, have that potential, he says.

“It makes it very fascinating,” Goretzky says. “You have one of the world’s oldest organisms that have survived various environmental and climatic conditions and when you really work on it, you find there are all these potential benefits that can be derived from it.”

But there are challenges to be met before the money starts rolling in. They start with developing a pond system in which the algae can grow.

CARS is looking at a “covered pond” concept to compensate for the naturally cold Canadian climate. And the researchers want to make the pond smaller by digging it deeper.

“If you look at the footprint, based on the 2.3 million tonnes a year of CO2, in a pond 30 centimeters deep, which is what the traditional depth is for an open pond system, you’re talking about a pond that’s 1,200 hectares.” One hectare is an area the size of two Canadian Football League fields. “I don’t know that many people who want a pond that big in their neighborhood,” he says.

CARS wants to make the pond 90 centimeters deep, reducing the footprint to 400 hectares, and that means developing a lighting system that will promote algae growth beyond the 30 centimeters natural sunlight can penetrate. The 400 hectares is still pretty big, Goretzky says. “Obviously, we have to reduce the size of the footprint even more than that.”

Maintaining the optimum temperature in the pond may lead to another environmental plus. Besides unwanted gases, most large industries produce “low grade heat” that’s simply allowed to escape into the atmosphere. “If we could capture that heat and transfer it to our ponds, that could help us maintain a target temperature that could optimize the growth systems for our algae,” Goretzky says.

He also emphasizes that CARS is a recycling system, not a sequestration or disposal approach. “It extends the period of time it takes for that CO2 to be released. Rather than the CO2 going into the atmosphere, it goes into the algae. From the algae, it’s broken down and turned into something else. That something else, like biodiesel, at some point will be consumed by a vehicle and it will be released into the atmosphere.”

But using the algae means less use of non-renewable fossil fuel in some other area. “It’s more of a living system approach to industrial design, which finds a purpose for carbon and provides other benefits that come with it,” Goretzky says.

The CARS scheme also gets around the expense of collecting, pressurizing and transporting CO2 in a closed carbon capture system. The algae, or a collection of specific algae strains in a pond, can eat up the various flue gas components directly. And ponds could be built where the chimneys exist.

Commercialization of algae has been investigated since the 1930s. The last big research wave lasted from the late 1970s to the early ’90s, spurred by various “energy shocks.” Now, with computer advances, the work can be taken to new heights, particularly in relation to genetics. There is the potential in the near future to obtain a complete genetic map of algae and processors may be able to modify it to fit the flue gas.

“It’s very exciting,” Goretzky said. “You’re building something that changes the way the world looks at energy development.”

Sapphire plans $100 million investment in green crude from algae

http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/06/08/story1.html

Sapphire Energy says it’s pioneering an entirely new industry right here in New Mexico.

The San Diego-based startup plans to invest $100 million in a 300-acre biofuel operation that will convert algae into gasoline starting in 2011, the first such algae-based, commercial-scale biofuel production facility in the U.S.

Once the site’s commercial viability is demonstrated, plans call for it to expand to 1,200 acres and produce more than 1 million gallons per day of green crude, said Sapphire CEO Jason Pyle. That would generate a total investment of $1 billion over the next eight years.

“Green crude will replace black crude right here in New Mexico,” Pyle said in a keynote address at the first annual conference of the Southwestern Biofuels Association in Albuquerque May 27-28. “We’re looking at the next industrial revolution.”

BEHL up 27 percent today..............................

This is today’s Origin Oil PR


OriginOil Files International Patent for Low-Energy, High Efficiency Algae Production
Filing Consolidates Inventions and Adds New Developments
On Tuesday June 2, 2009, 5:00 am EDT

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OriginOil, Inc. (OTCBB: OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, announced the recent filing of its Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT application, entitled “Apparatus and methods for photosynthetic growth of microorganisms in a photobioreactor.” This filing consolidates previous OriginOil inventions and adds new developments since the original filings.

The invention addresses challenging problems in the culturing of microalgae, including high energy utilization, fouling of light emitting surfaces, and diurnal growth cycles. The proposed system provides efficient light utilization with comparatively low energy costs by providing light at closely spaced intervals within a photobioreactor so that light is provided throughout the photobioreactor rather than just at the surface and at the interfaces between culture medium and photobioreactor wall.

“This international filing consolidates our inventions in the area of algae production and oil extraction,” said OriginOil’s chief technology officer, Vikram Pattarkine, PhD. “The pace of development at OriginOil has been extremely rapid. With this filing, we have consolidated our intellectual property protection at the international level in a number of areas of innovation at OriginOil.”

The filing describes system and methods for enhancing mass production of microalgae, involving the use of light arrays configured to provide photosynthetically effective illumination from closely distributed lights spaced at strategic intervals to optimize contact between algae and light. Illumination and nutrient provision can be timed to disperse light and nutrients when the organism is in a receiving mode. A process flow system is also described, which can be scaled for the mass production of algae. The systems and methods are useful in applications such as energy production, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and CO2 fixation. Also described are systems and methods for lysing (rupturing) cells and extracting their components, and for producing electricity with closed-loop CO2 recycling.

“This filing demonstrates that the OriginOil technology team is rapidly turning our inventions into proven technology,” said Riggs Eckelberry, the company’s CEO. “I applaud Dr. Vikram Pattarkine for the speedy progress of science and engineering at OriginOil.”

About OriginOil, Inc.

OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce "new oil" from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products, such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents, without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil-producing feedstock, such as corn and sugarcane, often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies. To learn more about OriginOil™, please visit our website at www.originoil.com.

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[This is the link in the PR attached to the words “transform algae” in the first paragraph. It leads to Origin Oil’s explanation of its system on its website.]
http://www.originoil.com/technology/the-originoil-system.html