See the Algae Industry In Action! New Tours Added to the Algae Biomass Summit

8:00AM – 5:00PM 

Price: $175

Earthrise Nutritionals

Visit the Imperial Valley, home of Algae Biomass Organization member companiesEarthrise Nutritionals and Hyperlight Energy and major renewable energy projects including the Hudson Power geothermal facility. This tour is hosted by the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC) and San Diego State University (SDSU) Brawley Campus. During the tour you will visit Earthrise Nutritionals, the largest algae farm in the United States, the innovative combined power and algae biomass demonstration facility of Hyperlight Energy, located on the SDSU Brawley Campus and, pending final confirmation, the 50 MW power plant operated by Hudson Ranch Power. IVEDC will coordinate an informative tour guide for each bus including presentations and video documentaries. A box breakfast and lunch will be included along with beverages. Dress for the desert heat!

Buses will depart from the Marriott on Monday, September 29 at 8:00 AM and return at 5:00 PM in time for the Algae Biomass Summit Opening Reception.

Register for the Summit today and the Imperial Valley Tour!

1:00PM – 8:00PM 

Price $150

California Center for Algae Biotechnology. Photo: Eric Jepson, UC San Diego Publications

The California Center for Algae Biotechnology (CalCAB) hosts this tour of the famous La Jolla Biotech Mesa complex, home of ABO member companies Sapphire Energy and SGI-DNA, Inc. a Synthetic Genomics Company. The world-renown cluster of biotech excellence is directly related to the exceptional quality of research that has spun out of University of California San Diego (UCSD) where CalCAB, an academic/private consortium is located. On this tour you will visit the SGI-DNA DNA Assembly Facility. SGI-DNA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics providing large and complex DNA synthesis and assembly services to customers around the world. 

You will also visit the UCSD Biological Field Station where UCSD and Sapphire scientists and staff will review their close private sector and academic collaborations that resulted in being ranked the number one algae biofuels consortium funded by the Department of Energy.

A Green Flash Sunset

After the tour the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a Department of UCSD and academic home of five of the CalCAB scientists, will host a Green Flash reception with food and libations. On a first come first served basis, up to 75 attendees can join a guided tour of the original equipment used by Charles David Keeling to create the “Keeling Curve” of atmospheric CO2 at Mauna Loa – the pulse of climate change. 

Sunset is at 6:32 pm and if the sky conditions cooperate, we guarantee a Green Flash! Attendees will get a scientific explanation of the phenomenon and provide instructions on viewing the Green Flash, let’s hope for a clear horizon over the ocean! Buses leave the Marriott Thursday, October 2 at 1:00 PM and return at 8:00 PM. 

Register for the Summit today and add the Biotech Mesa Tour and Green Flash Reception!