The Military Edge from Biofuels

Yesterday at a Distinguished Speaker Breakfast in Washington, DC with Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), the topic of algae biofuels was one of the first to come up.

Several participants noted that as the U.S. looks for alternatives to imported fossil fuels, the benefits of algae lie primarily in its ability to produce drop-in biofuels that work with existing infrastructure. Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel can all be produced from algae, and have been successfully tested in a variety of cars, truck, ships and airplanes. One attendee pointed out that the fuel we use today is made from ancient algae.

The next step is for the industry to scale-up production. But like most new technologies this requires a coordinated effort among investors, markets and regulators. One participant noted that a significant pull can come from the Department of Defense, much like what is described in today’s Wall Street Journal article on the Navy’s biofuel testing this summer.

The military has a long history of adopting new technologies that can give it an edge, and domestically produced biofuels (some algae fuels even have a higher energy density than their counterparts) can provide that edge.

If the military adopts a new technology it can give an industry a better platform from which to grow, and benefits for the U.S. economy often follow. Mark Schweiker, former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, made the case in Forbes earlier this week.

Congress is reviewing the military’s use of biofuels in the National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) right now, and it’s important for them to hear that the military’s use of biofuels needs support. Please ask your senator to support pro-biofuels amendments to the NDAA offered by Senator Mark Udall and others during the full Senate debate.

Navy riverine boat runs on algae-based fuel.

Going Fast: Exhibit Space at the Algae Biomass Summit

Booth space and sponsorships for the Algae Biomass Summit in Denver, CO, September 24-27, 2012 are already going fast. We wanted to take a moment to remind those considering attending about the benefits of exposure in the exhibit hall, and that last year’s floor sold out. Right now, we are more than 70% sold out and have little room for expansion. Sponsorships are still available, but we are more than 200% ahead with commitments.

Exhibitors at ABS come from across the algae value chain—meaning they are often not just algae producers.

Suppliers and manufacturers of equipment, universities, state and federal agencies, and entrepreneurs have all recognized the importance of getting exposure at the most high-profile algae conference in the world.

All of them come to make valuable contacts at a conference that always has something new to offer in technology advancements, state and federal policy updates, finance & investment, and commercialization trends.

The list of past exhibitors includes a wide range of interests, and in surveys from previous Summits they consistently report on the value of new contacts and information obtained during the event.

You can find out how to exhibit at the Algae Biomass Summit’s exhibitor’s webpage.

Algae in the Sahara

There is more to algae that the wide range of products they can produce. Their efficient conversion of energy and their ability to thrive in saltwater make them a unique agricultural crop that can thrive in hostile environments. It can even improve them.

This advantage has not gone unnoticed by those looking for ways to improve the resources available to parts of the word with difficult water or agricultural conditions.

The Norway-based Sahara Forest Project is one effort that hopes algae can be a part of its mission “to utilize what we have enough of to produce what we need more of.”

They are currently looking for an algae cultivation coordinator to help operate a facility in Qatar, where the algae will be one component of system that seeks to also use solar, aquaculture and desert agriculture technologies to improve the food and energy resources available in desert areas.

The Sahara Forest Project is one of many around the globe that are attempting to solve intertwined challenges with coordinated solutions. It is only natural that the diverse potential of algae should be part of the suite of technologies they are beginning to deploy.

Find out more about the Sahara Forest Project here (PDF).