ABO Blog – Page 151

DOE Biofuel Funding Announcement an Algae Opportunity?

ABO members working on algal biofuels may want to look into this latest funding opportunity from the DOE:

The Energy Department has announced up to $12 million in new funding for projects that aim to drive down the cost of producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels from biomass.

The funding will support up to five research and development projects that will boost biofuel yields from non-food-based lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural residue, fast-growing poplar trees, and switch grass. These projects will help improve the carbon, hydrogen, and separation efficiencies in bio-oil production and upgrade processes to meet these goals.

This funding opportunity is open to universities, national laboratories, industrial entities, and nonprofit organizations. View the full funding opportunity announcement.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Learn more about EERE’s work with industry, academia, and national laboratory partners on a balanced portfolio of research in biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies.

Algae Biomass Organization Applauds Support for Military Biofuels in National Defense Authorization Act

Department of Defense investments will improve military’s operational security and aid development of competitive, domestic sources of renewable fuels

MINNEAPOLIS—(December 20, 2012)—The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, applauded the strong support for military biofuels in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) scheduled for House and Senate votes this week.

The NDAA, when passed by both houses and signed by the President, would allow the Department of Defense (DOD) to continue purchasing advanced biofuels as part of its efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. It would also permit the DOD to invest in biofuel development facilities with matching funds from the Departments of Agriculture and Energy.

Military leaders have consistently supported efforts to develop advanced biofuels as a means to reduce troops’ reliance on fossil fuel supplies. The protection of fuel supply lines too often threatens the military’s operational security, and even small fluctuations in the price of oil can drain fuel budgets—requiring funds to be diverted from personnel or equipment budgets.

“This is a big win for biofuel investments and a reaffirmation of the role that sustainable, domestic biofuels can play in our national security,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “We are grateful for the incredible leadership of Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Kay Hagan (D-NC) for their amendments to the NDAA that will permit the kind of public-private partnerships we need to make competitive, domestic sources of biofuels a reality. We would also like to thank Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) and the members of the conference committee for their hard work in pushing this part of the legislation forward.”

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 Companies Find Opportunities in More than Fuel

It’s sometimes easy to forget that algae can be used for an incredible range of products and processes. When we talk about the range of fuels algae can produce we shouldn’t ignore the fact that the oils, proteins and carbohydrates in the organisms can be much more valuable on a per ton basis in many other markets.

Good algae entrepreneurs aren’t letting the opportunities get by them. This week Crain’s Detroit Business writes how one company’s initial focus on using algae to treat wastewater opened up access to a market for algae-based animal feed supplements.

It’s worth the read to learn how versatile algae technologies can be, and for an example of how disruptive they could be to countless markets once companies have operations up and running.

Algae Biodiesel Gets Certified for Consumers

A few weeks ago Propel Fuels and Solazyme teamed up to offer consumers in California the first algae-derived biodiesel ever available for drivers at the pump. Today the Imperial Valley News reports that the state’s Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) has declared the fuel compliant with quality specification standards.

“Samples were tested to ensure overall high-quality engine performance and to ascertain that exhaust
emissions will remain low. The tests were also good indicators that engine deposits and engine wear will be minimal, and that corrosion and filter plugging are reduced – very important factors for fuel used in diesel engines.”

Hard evidence that the research and commercialization efforts of the algae industry are starting to pay off!

Algae Remove Ammonia Pollution from Poultry Operations

Domestic Fuel writes today about research at Iowa State University that shows algae can be used to remove the ammonia that is a by-product of raising poultry. The ammonia, which if released can contribute to acid rain, would be fed to algae that can later be used to create biofuels, feed, biochemicals or other products.

The tests showed that up to 96% of the ammonia could be removed from air exhausts in poultry houses. You can read more about this fascinating application of algae here.

It’s another example of algae’s ability to take something that was considered a harmful waste and turn it into a valuable product–the organisms are already well-known for their ability to soak up greenhouse gases and contaminants in wastewater.