Category: Blog

Legislation proposed this month by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA) would create a new agency inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would prioritize the development of new innovations and technologies for American farms, ranches and rural communities.

The proposed Advanced Research Projects Agency–Terra (ARPA–Terra) carries a similar name as the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the Department of Energy that has funded cutting-edge energy technology development since 2009. ARPA-E has built an impressive track record, having funded billions of dollars of research, inspired the formation of dozens of high-tech companies, and established the foundations for hundreds of new patents.

Many of the latest advances in biofuel production, battery technology, energy efficiency, and bioenergy crop development have only been possible with crucial support from ARPA-E. 

A number of algae research consortia and commercialization projects have made considerable breakthroughs thanks to ARPA-E support. These advances in technology have not only benefited the energy sector, but are now finding new applications in food production, water treatment, bioplastics and other sectors. 

If a similar model can be implemented at the USDA it could transform how technology advances improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and economic opportunity in communities across the country.

Algae was recently designated as a crop for the first time in the 2018 Farm Bill, and ABO will be keeping a close eye on this new legislation.

A focus on high-risk, high-reward technology innovation by the federal government has transformed sectors like energy and communications. Agriculture can be next. 

Read more here.

The Algae Biomass Organization has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with the European Algae Biomass Organization. One of the perks for ABO members can be taken advantage of next month at AlgaEurope 2019, the annual meeting of European algae producers, researchers and investors.

ABO members may qualify for a €200 discount off the regular registration rate! To take advantage of this benefit ABO members can contact Barb Scheevel for details at: bscheevel@algaebiomass.org.

AlgaEurope is a growing event with participation from all over the globe. For those that can’t attend, there is also an option to live stream the proceedings.

Learn more here.

Algae production technologies are gearing up to provide biomass that can be used in markets that are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars. To help meet that opportunity ABO ‘s sister organization, The Algae Foundation, is coordinating a number of projects that are educating and training the industry’s future workforce.  They have just released a new set of online course material for those interested in developing a career in algae agriculture. 

The new material is part of the Algae Technology Educational Consortium’s Algal Cultivation Extension Short-course (ACES). Part 1 covered macroalgae and Part 2 covers microalgae. These courses are ideal for those who have some knowledge of aquaculture but need to learn the basics of growing large quantities of microalgae. 

Offerings include:

• cultivation and harvesting technologies,
• microscopy, algae species collections,
• nutrient media recipes,
• algae to fuel,
• carbon sequestration,
• food products, and
• interviews with industry experts.

The courses are an impressive collection of expertise and resources for any laboratory or company that needs personnel trained in  algae cultivation. Discover how microalgae cultivation skills can enhance your role in the aquaculture industry. 

Check out this ATEC webpage for registration information. 

October was a busy month for the business of algae in the news. Some of our favorites include innovative designs that allow building tiles to scrub wastewater, the expansion of algae-based feeds in aquaculture, and a futuristic look at how algae could act as oxygen factories inside your blood vessels. Read on to see our selection of news for the month of October, 2019:

A $320 billion market that could also capture 3 billion tons of carbon emissions

A recent report by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) takes a close look at using carbon emissions as a feedstock to more efficiently decarbonize economies around the world. The authors identify an enormous opportunity for algae.

C2ES published “Carbon Utilization–A Vital and Effective Pathway for Decarbonization” to examine how carbon utilization processes not associated with enhanced oil production (EOR) might lead to emissions reductions. In other words, how CO₂ can be captured and used to manufacture things like construction materials, fuels, plastics, chemicals and more. 

ABO worked closely with C2ES on the report, and the chapter on algae identifies some near-term opportunities as well as larger applications that will unfold over time. 

A Big Market, and Big Carbon Reductions

C2ES estimates that by 2025 the market for algae-based products will be approximately $14 billions, but then expand dramatically to $320 billion by 2030. 

 

The market size is impressive, but so is the amount of CO₂ that could be used. The report indicates that by 2030 the CO₂ use potential of algae-based products could approach 3 billion tons. 

The report also highlights the fact that algae production does not require purified streams of CO₂ in order to be productive. In many cases, flue gas from a power plant can be fed directly to microalgae, reducing the need for expensive purification equipment. In fact, some combustion waste products like nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides can be used as nutrients by algae. 

Furthermore, the CO₂ used to grow algae doesn’t have to come from fossil sources. Direct air capture or other industrial processes are also being examined as feedstock sources. This opens the door for algae to play a role in reversing runaway climate change. 

Combining a Strong Market Pull With a Smart Policy Push

The authors note one of the most remarkable advantages of algae in carbon utilization is the wide range of products that can be made. They list just a sliver of what’s possible: livestock and aquaculture feed, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, food products, bioplastics, biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilizers, bio-methane for electricity production, bio-jet fuel, bio-ethanol, and bio-diesel. 

Since some of these products already have demonstrated market commercial value, market economics could lead to industry scale-up. 

There is broad potential to offset the capital costs associated with algae production facilities near industrial CO₂ sources, like power plants. This is a vital distinction, since real emissions reductions will require a significant market pull that arises from a demand for low-carbon products, in addition to new policy support.

To give carbon utilization the policy push it needs to meet this remarkable potential, C2ES proposes options along four categories:         

• Financial enablers such as tax credits and subsidized project finance.
• Research that coordinates federal spending on all phases of research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D).            
• Infrastructure development of CO₂ transportation pipelines, facilities, etc.    
• Market enablers such as industry standards and procurement policies that provide preferential demand for products with recycled carbon.

Each of these is detailed in the report available here. The team at C2ES deserves congratulations for bringing more attention to the remarkable potentials of carbon utilization. 

Ready to get involved on behalf of algae? The race to turn carbon into a valuable feedstock is on, and the members of the Algae Biomass Organization are at the forefront. Join us by becoming a member, or sign up for our newsletter to keep up on the latest.