Category: Blog

The new online program for the world’s largest algae conference will focus on sharing commercial and scientific progress, enhanced networking, and increased collaboration from around the world

The 2020 Algae Biomass Summit is going virtual! In light of the continued uncertainty around the global COVID-19 outbreak the Algae Biomass Organization feels that transitioning this important event to a virtual format is the best way to move our industry forward and also prioritize the health and safety of our attendees.

We are updating our 2020 program to take advantage of virtual tools that will give our attendees even better access to the commercial and scientific progress that is shared every year at the world’s largest algae conference. We will also leverage online platforms to offer even more networking and collaboration opportunities for the scientists, entrepreneurs, companies and investors that are driving algae innovation forward.

New Pricing

Taking the Summit online means that more people than ever can explore opportunities in the algae industry. Registration is open now and includes access to all of the Summit’s online events, nearly 100 speaker presentations and invaluable networking opportunities.  Session recordings will also be available to all attendees.

2020 Summit Registration Rates

Register before June 1^st and get $50 off!

 

	ABO members**	Non-members
Standard Rate*	$329	$579
Early Bird Rate*	$279	$529
*Groups of 5 or more from the same organization can qualify for special rates. Contact info@algaebiomass.org for more information.
**Join ABO today to support algae industry advocacy and get the best rate at the Summit.

 

A Flexible Schedule with More Opportunities for Networking

Rather than a busy three-day sprint of multiple overlapping sessions, the Summit’s 2020 programming will be spread over several weeks this Fall. This will allow attendees to easily schedule their participation, and provide more networking opportunities that can lead to meaningful connections.

One Registration: Three Opportunities to Engage and Network

In August, we’ll start the Summit with a bi-weekly series of special “Industry Spotlight” Sessions. These 90-minute sessions will bring together experts from across the supply chain to explore the algae opportunity in specific market segments. Topics will include algae in polymers, human nutrition, carbon capture, ecosystem services and more. Each webinar will include opportunities to network with speakers and participants.

 

 

On September 8-10, we will host keynote speakers, plenary panels, and intensive networking. This will be where the Summit explores the global potential of our conference theme this year: Algae 2020 – Sustainable, Scalable Solutions. Each session will be followed by live Q&A and networking events.

 

 

 

September 14-30 will consist of the Summit’s technical and breakout programming, with sessions from our Topical Tracks. We will also host the Young Innovators Lounge for those looking to advance a career in algae, our annual Poster Session judging, and more networking opportunities that will keep the momentum in the industry going strong.

 

 

More Opportunities for Exhibitors, Sponsors and Presenters

A virtual conference will give Summit exhibitors, sponsors and presenters a larger potential audience than ever before. Algae innovators and enthusiasts from around the world will be able to attend the Summit and discover who is leading this industry into the future. And our extended format means more opportunities to engage than would be available in a typical live event.

Enhanced Connections and Networking

A virtual Summit will offer unprecedented networking opportunities. In the coming weeks ABO will be unveiling new tools that will make connections between our attendees, speakers, and exhibitors easier, and more relevant, than ever.

An Exciting Transition

Although we wish the circumstances demanding this transition were different, ABO’s Board of Directors and staff are excited about what a virtual Algae Biomass Summit can offer. In the coming weeks we will be making more details available at the Summit website, and in our regular communications.

If you have any questions or ideas about how this new format can make the Summit better than ever please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.  We welcome your input.

If you would like to participate in the virtual Summit, we are still accepting abstract proposals for speaking and poster presentations. Fill out the abstract form here.

See you online at the 2020 Algae Biomass Summit! Register today to take advantage of the early bird rates.

 

 

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has released the first European standard for algae and algae products, an important milestone for establishing common baselines for an industry that is beginning to impact more markets than ever.

Known as EN 17399:2020 ‘Algae and algae products – Terms and definitions’, the standards not only clarify terms and conditions for algae products, they also set up a foundation for regulations that can ease the entrance of algae into various markets.

For several years Algae Biomass Organization Technical Standards Committee has been developing a set of industry-established measurement standards, with the latest version known as Industrial Algae Measurements, Version 8.0, that can establish a common language of measurement for aquatic biomass production. It is encouraging to see an the official European standards body adopt a standard that the industry can use to more efficiently manage its rapid growth.

For more information about the European standard visit the CEN website.

The Covid-19 outbreak has affected nearly every business sector, market segment, as well as the daily lives of billions of people around the globe. A number of ABO members are small business and startups working to meet the challenge in a variety of ways. 

To assist our members and some of their unique needs, we are compiling a list of resources that may be helpful. This list is by no means exhaustive and will be updated as circumstances allow. See something missing? Reach out to us and we’ll be sure to add it. 

Basic Guidance on Covid-19

Be sure to consult the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for some of the latest information about Covid-19 and how to protect yourself. 

Federal Funding Opportunities

ABO regularly works with its members to keep them updated on current and upcoming research and commercialization funding opportunities from federal agencies. In some cases, these funding opportunities are moving ahead, and in others we are seeing delays in application deadlines. 

• Find the latest information on the DOE’s ARPA-E funding announcements here. 
• USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture lists RFA resources here. 

Business Assistance

Assistance for businesses in the United States has been made available in emergency legislation. The details are changing so quickly it’s best to consult directly with the relevant federal agencies. 

• Small businesses affected by the crisis should consult the U.S. Small Business Administration for information on how to take advantage of relief packages recently passed by Congress.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently published this presentation on what small businesses need to know about the Paycheck Protection Loan and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs

Workplace and Operations

• The CDC also has published guidance on how businesses that are in operation should adjust for the realities of the pandemic. Resources include interim guidance on operations, cleaning and disinfecting recommendations, and how to prepare employees for Covid-19.  
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also publishing guidance. OSHA’s Covid Overview page is a good place to start, especially its resources on how OSHA standards apply to protecting workers from COVID-19.

Resources for Startups

ABO member companies are often deploying entirely new technologies that have the potential to disrupt existing markets and create new value. Many are early stage startups or have raised enough funds to begin serving an initial wave of customers. Early this month Forbes examined the impact COVID-19 may have on startup ecosystems.

For those start-ups looking for strategies in the COVID-19 era, here are a few places to start. 

• The team at TechCrunch is carefully covering the crisis and its impact on startups. Their coverage can be found here. 
• At Geek Wire, a similar effort with some different angles is here. 

Remember: This incredibly disruptive crisis will be resolved. Let’s make sure the algae industry is ready to help build a more sustainable and robust future. 

 

Planning is underway to bring elements of the 2020 Algae Biomass Summit online

All of us at the Algae Biomass Organization hope that you are safe and healthy as the world confronts an unprecedented crisis that has upended lives and made it necessary to adjust almost every aspect of business. 

At ABO we are busy ensuring the safety of our operations, but also keeping an eye on how we can continue to support the algae industry. To move forward on our mission, we are already implementing online options for many of our events and workshops.

On March 19, our Algae Technical Standards Focus Group Discussion was moved to an online collaboration, and we were pleased to see strong attendance and participation. The following week, our annual board meeting was also held virtually, instead of in Washington, DC as originally planned.

ABO’s flagship event, the Algae Biomass Summit, is scheduled to take place this September 8-11 at the University of California, San Diego. As this crisis evolves our top priority is the health and safety of our algae community and Summit attendees. We are currently examining options that would allow us to make much of the event’s programming available online for those unable to travel this fall. 

We are also examining how some of these online options could even enhance the Summit’s role as a venue for networking, sharing innovations, and learning about the latest developments in our fast-moving industry. Speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and other attendees will all find new and exciting ways to engage with the world’s largest gathering of algae professionals.

As the global situation evolves, we will keep you updated on any changes that will be required to make the 2020 Summit a success.

In the meantime, the Summit’s planning committee is moving forward with building our 2020 program. The abstracts submitted so far suggest we will have the most diverse agenda yet.

Interested in presenting your own scientific, commercial or other algae industry milestones at the Summit? You can still submit an abstract for consideration as a speaker or poster presenter.

ABO wishes you all the best in these trying times. Stay safe, and keep in mind that we will emerge from this crisis. Let’s keep our momentum going. 

The Treasury Department issued its first guidance on a key tax credit for carbon capture projects last month, and projects producing algae biomass could be positioned to benefit. ABO worked with a large coalition to see the updated credit, known as 45Q, passed by Congress back in 2018.

Algae cultivation is an ideal way to capture industrial carbon dioxide emissions, essentially recycling the gas into new products that can have significant market value. A recent report in Chemical & Engineering News details how the 45Q credit is attracting interest among CO2 producers and those that can use the gas for manufacturing processes. 

The new guidance gives project developers some certainty about how they might take advantage of the credit. Projects must begin before 2023, and must be completed within six years. For many projects these deadlines may already be too tight, and a number of groups, including ABO, will be asking Congress to legislate more time for these innovative efforts to get up and running. 

This latest guidance is only a first step. The IRS is still working on another set of guidance documents that will be required before the credit can be claimed by a CCS project. 

IRS documentation can be found here.

Read more at E&E News