ABO Blog

XPRIZE’S $20 Million Prize to Incentivize Zero-Carbon Energy Technologies Announced at the Summit

Today at the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit, XPRIZE made an exciting announcement. They’ve launched the $20 Million Carbon XPRIZE, a competition that will incentivize breakthroughs to convert our current liability of CO2 emissions into useful products.

ABO has been saying for years that we should think of CO2 as an opportunity, not a problem. Because algae consume CO2 as they grow, our industry needs all the CO2 it can get. With the right technologies, we can remove CO2 from the air and convert it into a range of products, including: fuels, animal feed, fertilizers, chemicals, plastics and other valuable products. XPRIZE recognizes the opportunity to re-use carbon, and we expect algae to be well positioned to win the prize!

Anyone can register to compete, from now through March 2016. The competition will be structured as a two-track prize, with one track focused on testing technologies at a coal power plant, and the other focused on testing technologies at a natural gas power plant. The winning teams will convert the most CO2 into products with the highest net value and the smallest environmental impact. To learn more about this amazing opportunity, visit the prize website at http://carbon.xprize.org.

It’s Algae Week in DC…

…Which means it’s time for the annual Algae Biomass Summit! From September 29 – October 2, more than 600 researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and students will gather for the 9th Annual Summit, at the Marriott Wardman Park.

Check out the full agenda here.

In addition to the event, members of ABO and its executive director Matt Carr will be meeting throughout the week with various elected officials, agencies and other policymakers (including the Congressional Algae Caucus).

We’ll be live tweeting to keep you updated. Follow the conversation at #ABS15, check back at the blog and stay tuned for press releases and newsblasts.

Why Is Algae Technology Interesting Now?

We have a water problem.

As drought rages across the West, water concerns top the list.

How are algae a solution?

Algae’s prolific yields per acre, as well as their ability to grow in all types of water are a huge advantage when it comes to producing protein and other nutrients for cattle and humans. 

We also have an overfishing problem.

Sardines, actually. But this will affect the population of tuna, Chinook salmon, and other fish, since sardines are an important food source.

How are algae a solution?

Algae can be used as an alternate food source for fish.

We have an air problem.

Too much CO2 is accumulating in the atmosphere and contributing to the issues listed above.

How is algae a solution?

Algae convert CO2 into valuable products as they grow, allowing emitters to reduce their costs/create a profitable revenue stream while at the same time complying with regulations.

Algae technology is a platform.

ABO will talk a lot about shifting perceptions of algae as a microorganism to that of a technology platform. When you look at something that can create fuels, chemicals, food ingredients, cancer-fighting drugs, etc., it’s no longer just a plant. It’s a technology platform that is being developed and commercialized across wide swaths of industries for incredibly diverse purposes. If the internet became a platform for the development of apps, communications and commerce, algae can be thought of in the same way.

To learn more about what topics will be discussed at the Summit, check out the agenda here.

New Keynote Announced for the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit

As ABO finalizes the preparations for the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit, we’re excited to announce that Solazyme’s CEO, Dr. Peter Licari, will appear as a keynote speaker. Dr. Licari will share how the company’s technology is a leader in unlocking the power and the promise of microalgae.

In addition, Jyotika Virmani, the Senior Director of Prize Operations at the XPRIZE Foundation will have an announcement of particular importance for the algae industry.

We can’t wait for the Summit to begin! It’s a great opportunity to meet and cultivate contacts within the algae industry. Attendees will be able to share and learn how algae impacts markets and policy for:

  • Energy & Fuel
  • Food & Agriculture
  • Health & Nutrition
  • Materials & Services

If you haven’t signed up for the Summit yet but would still like to attend, it’s not too late! You can still register online here, until this Sunday!

Algae Biomass Organization Congratulates Algenol for Partnership to Commercially Distribute First Algae-Based Ethanol

Beginning of a new era for sustainable biofuels made from algae 

WASHINGTON, DC (September 14, 2015) The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, congratulated Algenol Biotech LLC for its partnership with Protec Fuel Management LLC  to market and distribute algae-derived ethanol from Algenol’s commercial demonstration facility in Fort Myers, Florida. The E15 and E85 fuels would be the first commercial sales of algae-derived ethanol at retail stations for general public consumption.

“Algenol’s partnership is a milestone for the algae industry and for consumers who want domestically-produced, low-carbon fuels made from algae,” said Matt Carr, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “The commercial availability of algae-based fuels is a huge step for our economic and energy security, and we congratulate Algenol and Protec for making it happen.”

The partnership will initially focus on distribution in Florida as Algenol’s 18 million gallons per year commercial plant is developed in 2016 and 2017. More information about the agreement and Algenol’s unique technology is available in the company’s press release.

Algenol is one of the companies leading the algae industry that will be featured at this year’s Algae Biomass Summit in Washington, DC, September 29-October 2. More information about the Summit can be found at www.algaebiomasssummit.org.

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. This tiny but powerful organism has the ability to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, reuse CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people, and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

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.

Look Who’s Attending the Algae Biomass Summit

The 9th Annual Algae Biomass Summit is approaching, and industry leaders are making arrangements to head to Washington, DC to network, hear updates, and make deals. Check out some of the leading companies, universities, laboratories, federal agencies and other organizations that will be attending the 2015 Summit, being held September 29-October 2!

Is your organization on this list? Be sure to register today and we will see  you in DC!

AAAS

Academy of Sustainability and EnviroTech

Accelergy Corporation

ADM Research

Agcore Technologies, LLC

AgriFuels LLC

Akerman, LLP

AlgaCo

Algae Biomass Organization

Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, JAPAN (AIIC)

Algae Systems, LLC

Algae World News

Algaenautic Ltd.

Algal Scientific

Algalif

Algenol

Algenuity

Algix LLC

AlgoSource Technologies

Aljadix

American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE)

Applied Chemical Technology

Arizona State University

AzCATI/ATP3

BCS, Incorporated

Beagle Bioproducts, Inc.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

Bigelow Laboratory – NCMA

Bio Huma Netics

Bioprocess Algae LLC

Biotechnology Industry Organization

Bogazici University

Boise State University

Brooklyn College

CA Center for Algae Biotechnology

Cal Polytechnic State Univ.

California Polytechnic State University

CDM I&E

Cellana LLC

Center for Applied Energy Research, University of KY

Center for Integration of Science & Industry

Chalmers University of Technology

Chulalongkorn University

Cleantech, Sustainability, Energy

Clearas Water Recovery

Colgate Palmolive Company

Colorado Lining International

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Commercial Algae Management

Cosmos Technical Center Company, Ltd

Crown Iron

CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship

Cyanotech Corporation

Dartmouth College

DBCC

DENSO CORPORATION

Department of Energy

Dept of Physics and Earth Sciences, Jacobs Univers

Desert Research Institute

Drexel University

DSM

Duke Energy Corporation

Duke University

E2

Earthrise Nutritionals LLC

Eastern New Mexico University

EMD Millipore

ENG Energy

ENN Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.

euglena Co., Ltd

Evodos B.V.

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering

FDA

Federal University of Bahia

FedEx Express

Fermentalg

Flottweg Separation Technology

Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc.

G3 Enterprises

Gas Technology Institute

GEA Group

Geb Impact Technology Co. Ltd

Georgia Institute of Technology

GF Piping Systems

Glen Mills

Global Algae Innovations

Gothenburg University/Swedish Algae Factory

Grande Prairie Regional College

Harmon Consulting

Heliae Devlopment, LLC

HY-TEK Bio, LLC.

ICGEB

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.

IHI Corporation

IIT Bombay

Industrial Plankton, Inc.

Industrial Technology Research Institute

Inha University

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Institute for Food and Environmental Research

Institute of Chemical Technology

Institute of Hydrobiology

Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Iowa State University

JAIIC

Japan Bioindustry Association

JM Energy Consulting, Inc

Johns Hopkins University

Joule Unlimited

K&L Gates

Keller And Heckman Llp

Kentucky Division of Biofuels

King Saud University

LanzaTech

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Leidos Engineering

LGem

Life Cycle Associates

Linde AG

Liqoflux

Longitude 122 West, Inc.

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Louisiana State University

Lunds Universitet

Lux Research

Mara Renewables Corporation

Mars Incorporated

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers

MATRIC

Matrix Genetics

Michigan State University

Michigan Technological University

MicroBio Engineering, Inc

Missing Octave Insights (MOII)

Monash University

Montana State University

Muradel Pty Ltd

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

National Research Council Canada

National Science Foundation

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Neste

NOAA Office of Aquaculture

NOLA Microfarm

NRG Energy

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Old Dominion University

OpenAlgae

Orlando Utilities Commission

ORNL/UBC

Ouroboros Biorefinery

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Parker Hannifin Renewable Resources

Phenometrics Inc.

Phitec, LLC

Phyco2, LLC

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Princeton Capital Management

Qatar University

Qualitas Health, Inc.

RF CUNY-Brooklyn College

Rutgers University

SABIC

Sandia National Laboratories

Sapphire Energy, Inc.

Scandinavian Biogas Fuels AB

SCHOTT AG

SCHOTT North America, Inc.

Scoville Public Relations

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, inc.

Shimizu Corporation

Sincere Corporation

SIO/JCVI

South China University of Technology

Southern CA Gas Company

SSP Pvt. Ltd.

Sterne, Kesler, Goldstein & Fox

Subitec GmbH

Swedish Algae Factory

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Syngenta

Syracuse University

T2 Energy

TASA (Tecnológica de Alimentos S.A.)

TERI- Deakin Nano biotech centre, 

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Texas A&M University

The Boeing Company

The Johns Hopkins University

The Pennsylvania State University

The Scoular Company

The University of Queensland

The University of Toledo

TOTAL

Total New Energies

Triton Health & Nutrition

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

UC San Diego

UNC Chapel Hill

University College London

University of Arizona

University of California Davis

University of California San Diego

University of Colorado, Boulder/JILA

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Delaware 

University of Idaho

University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

University of Kansas

University of Liege

University of Maryland

University of Minnesota

University of Nantes 

University of Nordland

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Padova

University of South FL

University of South Florida

University of Texas at Austin

University of Toronto

University of Tsukuba

Utah State University

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Wageningen UR

Wake Forest University

Warner Advisors

Washington State University

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group

Wayne State University

Western NM University

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Yıldız Technical University

Register for the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit today!