Every summer ABO members and supporting organizations make announcements, host events, and tell the story of the algae industry’s exciting growth that is creating new jobs, new sources of domestic fuels, food, feed and other products.
Over the past week the Summer of Algae 2014 picked up steam, with a series of events that illustrate how wide the appeal of algae has become.
In China, Sapphire Energy announced a partnership with Sinopec to develop algae-derived fuels in one of the world’s fastest growing economies. This international announcement came on the heels of new from two more ABO members. Cellana inked a partnership with Galil Algae in Isreal, and Heliae announced a partnership to build a facility in Japan.
In the United States, the Summer of Algae kicked into high gear with a briefing early this week in Washington DC, hosted by the Congressional Algae Caucus. The co-chairs of the caucus, Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) and Representative Matt Salmon (R-AZ), welcomed a packed briefing room to hear about the potential for algae to be a source of fuel, food and so many other products.
Presenting to the group were Dr. Gary Dirks, Director of Arizona State University LightWorks and the Global Institute of Sustainability and Mr. Ben Wu, Manager of Biomass Sciences and Conversion Technology at Sandia National Laboratories.
Dr. Dirks and Mr. Wu discussed the full range of algae’s potential with elected officials and staff that are increasingly looking for solutions to problems that won’t stress our existing energy infrastructure, agricultural lands or freshwater supplies. All requirements that algae can easily meet!
The role algae can play in carbon dioxide reduction policies, agriculture, wastewater treatment, energy security and job growth were all part of the discussion.
Coincidentally, just after the Caucus briefing another major conclusion about the economic growth the algae industry can bring was unveiled in San Diego, home of this year’s Algae Biomass Summit (Sept 29-Oct 2).
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced research that found the direct, indirect, and induced economic impact of the algae biotechnology research and manufacturing industry generates a total of approximately 1,020 total jobs, $80 million in wages, and over $175 million of economic output to the San Diego region.
From coast-to-coast, and around the globe, the Summer of Algae is in full swing! Keep an eye open for algae industry events in your area.
We’ll keep you updated with more in the coming weeks!