ABO Blog

Algae Biofuels Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 68%

A new life cycle analysis of fuels made from algae, such as gasoline, low sulfur diesel and jet fuel, concludes they can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 68 percent over petroleum. The same peer reviewed research shows that the energy that can be obtained from algae-derived fuels exceeds the amount of energy needed to produce them, and they are even approaching energy returns that are comparable to petroleum. ABO’s press release has more details. 

This research is significant because it is the first life cycle analysis that looks at data from real world production. Most previous studies have used laboratory data or theoretical projections. The fact that data from an operating algae-to-energy farm shows such great results is extremely encouraging for an industry that is moving quickly toward commercial production.

More coverage of this research can be found at Green Car Congress, CleanTechnica, Greenwire (subscription) and TG Daily.

One other important note about the state of today’s algae technology is the rapid pace of development. The authors of the study note that with expected improvements in the industry algae biofuels are set to surpass advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol in terms of both energy returns and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Algae Biomass Organization Encourages Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) in addition to Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) as Approved Strategy for Compliance with New Emissions Rules for Power Plants

Washington, DC (September 20, 2013) – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) today encouraged the EPA to include  carbon capture and reuse (CCR) as an approved strategy for compliance under its New Source Performance Standard, a draft version of which was released today. The EPA’s draft, which places a heavy emphasis on geologic carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as a viable method for power plants to reduce their emissions, comes just as commercial technologies developed by the algae industry are making it possible to use those same emissions for the manufacture of valuable, low-carbon products that can make emissions reduction a revenue generator rather than a waste disposal cost.

Experts predict CCS methods could cost power plants as much at $60 per tonne of CO2 to bury the emissions. Conversely, when algae companies use CO2 emissions as an input, those emissions are no longer waste – they have a value. As such, algae reuse technologies offer a return on investment that will enable coal plants to meet emissions reductions targets and create a revenue stream in the process.

Encouraging the reuse of CO2 emissions rather than their disposal underground is entirely consistent with previously established policies regarding waste management. In both the Waste Management Hierarchy and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, “pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner, whenever feasible” and “and disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.”  Reusing, or recycling carbon dioxide into marketable commodities meets this definition.

Algae’s carbon reduction potential has already been demonstrated by research and in real-world production. A recent life cycle analysis (LCA) published in Bioresource Technologyshowed algae-derived gasoline reduced greenhouse gas emissions 68 percent over petroleum. The same analysis showed the energy returns of algae-derived biofuels are approaching those of petroleum. A previous LCA of biodiesel made from algae showed a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Algae Biomass Organization Encourages Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) in addition to Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) as Approved Strategy for Compliance with New Emissions Rules for Power Plants

Washington, DC (September 20, 2013) – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) today encouraged the EPA to include  carbon capture and reuse (CCR) as an approved strategy for compliance under its New Source Performance Standard, a draft version of which was released today. The EPA’s draft, which places a heavy emphasis on geologic carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as a viable method for power plants to reduce their emissions, comes just as commercial technologies developed by the algae industry are making it possible to use those same emissions for the manufacture of valuable, low-carbon products that can make emissions reduction a revenue generator rather than a waste disposal cost.

“It’s time to turn the lemon of carbon emissions into lemonade,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “By transforming what is currently viewed as waste product into a new revenue stream, we can achieve a rare trifecta – overall emissions reductions, a return on investment, and job growth that comes with a new domestic industry for renewable commodities.”

Experts predict CCS methods could cost power plants as much at $60 per tonne of CO2 to bury the emissions. Conversely, when algae companies use CO2 emissions as an input, those emissions are no longer waste – they have a value. As such, algae reuse technologies offer a return on investment that will enable coal plants to meet emissions reductions targets and create a revenue stream in the process.

Encouraging the reuse of CO2 emissions rather than their disposal underground is entirely consistent with previously established policies regarding waste management. In both the Waste Management Hierarchy and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, “pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner, whenever feasible” and “and disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.”  Reusing, or recycling carbon dioxide into marketable commodities meets this definition.

Algae’s carbon reduction potential has already been demonstrated by research and in real-world production. A recent life cycle analysis (LCA) published in Bioresource Technologyshowed algae-derived gasoline reduced greenhouse gas emissions 68 percent over petroleum. The same analysis showed the energy returns of algae-derived biofuels are approaching those of petroleum. A previous LCA of biodiesel made from algae showed a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Algae Biofuel Can Cut CO2 Emissions up to 68% Compared to Petroleum Fuels Finds New Peer Reviewed Study

Algae fuel will have a significant energy return on investment, consume waste CO2 and can be grown in saltwater on marginal lands

MINNEAPOLIS (September 19, 2013) –Algae-derived biofuel can reduce life cycle CO2emissions by 50 to 70 percent compared to petroleum fuels, and is approaching a similar Energy Return on Investment (EROI) as conventional petroleum according to a new peer-reviewed paper published in Bioresource Technology. The study, which is the first to analyze real-world data from an existing algae-to-energy demonstration scale farm, shows that the environmental and energy benefits of algae biofuel are at least on par, and likely better, than first generation biofuels.

“This study affirms that algae-based fuels provide results without compromise,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “With significant emissions reductions, a positive energy balance, nutrient recycling and CO2 reuse, algae-based fuels will be a long-term, sustainable source of fuels for our nation.”

The study, “Pilot-scale data provide enhanced estimates of the life cycle energy and emissions profile of algae biofuels produced via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL),” is a life cycle analysis of an algae cultivation and fuel production process currently employed at pre-commercial scales. The authors examined field data from two facilities operated by Sapphire Energy in Las Cruces and Columbus, New Mexico that grow and process algae into Green Crude oil. Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude can be refined into drop-in fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The study concluded that algae technologies at commercial scale are projected to produce biofuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions and EROI values that are comparable to first generation biofuels. Additionally, algae based biofuels produced through this pathway at commercial scale will have a significant energy return on investment (EROI), close to petroleum and three times higher than cellulosic ethanol. The system that was evaluated recycles nutrients, can accept an algae feed that is up to 90 percent water in the processing phase, and the final product can be blended with refinery intermediates for refining into finished gasoline or diesel product, resulting in significant energy savings throughout the process.

“These real-world data from demonstration scale facilities gave us new insight and allowed us to understand how scale will impact the benefits and costs of algae-to-energy deployment.” said lead author Andres F. Clarens, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. “These results suggest that algae-based fuels made using HTL have an environmental profile that is comparable to conventional biofuels.”

The authors also write that expected improvements in the industry mean that algae-based biofuels are set to surpass advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol in terms of both energy returns and greenhouse gas emissions. 

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Contacts:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

Algae Biofuel Can Cut CO2 Emissions up to 68% Compared to Petroleum Fuels Finds New Peer Reviewed Study

Algae fuel will have a significant energy return on investment, consume waste CO2 and can be grown in saltwater on marginal lands

MINNEAPOLIS (September 19, 2013) –Algae-derived biofuel can reduce life cycle CO2emissions by 50 to 70 percent compared to petroleum fuels, and is approaching a similar Energy Return on Investment (EROI) as conventional petroleum according to a new peer-reviewed paper published in Bioresource Technology. The study, which is the first to analyze real-world data from an existing algae-to-energy demonstration scale farm, shows that the environmental and energy benefits of algae biofuel are at least on par, and likely better, than first generation biofuels.

“This study affirms that algae-based fuels provide results without compromise,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “With significant emissions reductions, a positive energy balance, nutrient recycling and CO2 reuse, algae-based fuels will be a long-term, sustainable source of fuels for our nation.”

The study, “Pilot-scale data provide enhanced estimates of the life cycle energy and emissions profile of algae biofuels produced via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL),” is a life cycle analysis of an algae cultivation and fuel production process currently employed at pre-commercial scales. The authors examined field data from two facilities operated by Sapphire Energy in Las Cruces and Columbus, New Mexico that grow and process algae into Green Crude oil. Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude can be refined into drop-in fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The study concluded that algae technologies at commercial scale are projected to produce biofuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions and EROI values that are comparable to first generation biofuels. Additionally, algae based biofuels produced through this pathway at commercial scale will have a significant energy return on investment (EROI), close to petroleum and three times higher than cellulosic ethanol. The system that was evaluated recycles nutrients, can accept an algae feed that is up to 90 percent water in the processing phase, and the final product can be blended with refinery intermediates for refining into finished gasoline or diesel product, resulting in significant energy savings throughout the process.

“These real-world data from demonstration scale facilities gave us new insight and allowed us to understand how scale will impact the benefits and costs of algae-to-energy deployment.” said lead author Andres F. Clarens, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. “These results suggest that algae-based fuels made using HTL have an environmental profile that is comparable to conventional biofuels.”

The authors also write that expected improvements in the industry mean that algae-based biofuels are set to surpass advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol in terms of both energy returns and greenhouse gas emissions. 

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Contacts:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com