Today may be "April Fool's Day", but algae biofuel is no
joke. Harrison Dillion, co-founder of the synthetic biology company Solazyme,
believes that Americans could be filling up their cars with algae biofuels in
just two years. Let's look at some facts.
Algae biofuels research began with the Aquatic Species
Program, a $25 million dollar initiative established by the Carter Administration
in 1978. Research was designed to investigate high-oil types of algae that
could be used as biofuels, and was run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL). During its twenty-year history, the Aquatic Species Program discovered
that certain types of algae could indeed supply enough biodiesel to replace
fossil fuels for transportation and home heating.
Since corn production turns out to be less impressive than previously
thought, more
companies are beginning to focus on algae biofuels. According to Valcent
Products, algae can produce 20,000 gallons of biofuel per acre of algae, per
year, by using an open pond system. However, as new algae-producing methods
emerge, many people are abandoning the open pond system, which was susceptible
to contamination and evaporation
New closed-loop "bio-reactor" systems may be able to achieve
even greater numbers than those reported by Valcent Products. Still, some
researchers say that one problem with growing the plant indoors is that it could
negate the CO2 removal from the plant. Until one method is proven to
be the best, companies are working to find the ideal algae production method.
Why algae? On its corporate website, Greenfuel Technologies explains
that "algae are the fastest-growing plants in the world … they use
photosynthesis to harness sunlight and carbon dioxide, creating high-value
compounds in the process. Energy is stored inside the cell as lipids and
carbohydrates, and can be converted into fuels like biodiesel and ethanol." So
how do algae biofuels compare to ethanol?
Unlike corn, algae can double its volume overnight, "eat"
pollutants, grow in brackish water, and can be harvested after a day. John Sheehan
of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL) is an algae enthusiast who
believes that algae could be directly competing with fossil fuels in just a few
years. "There is no other resource that comes even close in magnitude to the
potential for making oil", says Sheehan.
I often hear about the negative aspects of corn
/ grain production, so the thought of using algae as a potential biofuel is
intriguing. When it comes to this research, however, I can only follow the
news. Because I'm a consumer – and not a biologist or bioengineer - I'd support
whichever biofuel would lower the cost of gasoline.
What do you think?
- Is
algae the "next big thing" for biofuels?
- Is
there even a realistic "biofuel"?
Resources:
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1490/70/
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1481/70/
http://www.greenfuelsforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=481
http://www.greenfuelonline.com/technology.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4213775.html
http://earth2tech.com/2008/03/27/15-algae-startups-bringing-pond-scum-to-fuel-tanks/
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