Category: Press

Senate Finance Committee’s extension of cellulosic biofuel credit to algae will accelerate commercial production

MINNEAPOLIS–August 3, 2012 – Today Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, released the following statement in support of the Senate Finance Committee’s approval of the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012. The bill extends the existing cellulosic biofuel tax credit to include algae-based biofuels for the first time.

“The Algae Biomass Organization is extremely grateful that algae-based biofuels are being recognized as part of the existing cellulosic biofuel tax credit. Algae-based biofuels can be made right here in the U.S.A and work in existing engines and infrastructure, in many cases outperforming petroleum-based fuels. This credit and its bipartisan support will help our industry accelerate the commercial production of domestic fuels and hire workers across the U.S.A.

“We thank Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) for their leadership on the Committee, and especially the efforts of Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) for their longstanding support of the great potential of our industry.

“The successful passage of this tax credit in the Senate and House would be a leap forward for our country’s efforts to achieve energy independence, promote jobs, and improve our national security.”

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.

Contacts:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

Engineering and Analysis Track Showcases Top Research Scientists from Around the World

Denver, CO (August 1, 2012) The 6^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in Denver, Co. September 24-27 will showcase in its Engineering and Analysis track nearly 30 presentations by leading research scientists from national and corporate laboratories. The sessions will inform technical audiences about the latest in algae growing methodologies, biofuel and oil analysis, and similar developments related to growing and harvesting algae for fuels, food and other products. Advances in engineering are key to wide-scale commercial production of algae-based products.

“These are among the top researchers in the world developing technologies for algae production systems at commercial scale,” said Phil Pienkos, Principal Group Manager, Applied Sciences for the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Chair of the Algae Biomass Summit. “Combined with the incredible advances in algae biology, we’re seeing significant opportunities to increase yields, while reducing energy and water requirements and maximizing co-product potential.”

Highlights among the Engineering and Analysis presentations include:

• Ryan Davis, Process Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratories will present
  Integrated Algal Biofuel Baseline Analysis: Techno-Economics from a Harmonized Model.

• Michael Huesemann, Staff Research Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will present A Screening Model to Predict Microalgae Biomass Growth in Bioreactors and Raceway Ponds.

• James Oyler, President, Genifuel Corporation will present Hydrothermal Processing: Efficient Production of High-Quality Fuels from Algae.

• Kiran Kadam, Director of Technology, SRS Energy will present Production of Fuel-Grade or Food-Grade Products from Algae using Wet Fractionation: Process Development.

• Mark Wigmosta, Chief Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will presentIntegrated Algal Biofuel Baseline Analysis: Resource Potential from a Harmonized Model.

• Ed Frank, Principal Energy Systems Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory will present
  Integrated Algal Biofuel Baseline Analysis: Emissions and Energy Consumption from a Harmonized Model.

The Engineering and Analysis track is one of four tracks, plus plenary sessions and posters, which comprise the agenda for the Algae Biomass Summit. In total, there are expected to be more than 90 live and 120 poster presentations during the Summit. The 2011 Algae Biomass Summit was attended by more than 800 stakeholders from more than 25 countries across the algae industry. Organizers are expecting an even larger turnout for this year’s event.

The Summit comes at a time when industry is increasingly looking for new sources of sustainable raw materials—feedstock—for a wide range of end uses. Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

The Algae Biomass Summit is produced by the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the US algae Industry. More information about the Summit can be found atwww.algaebiomasssummit.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE
The ABO has recently changed its name to the Algae Biomass Organization (previously the Algal Biomass Organization). Any URL’s and email addresses associated with the previous name will be automatically forwarded to the new URL at algaebiomass.org.

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.

Contacts:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

Biology Track Showcases Top Researchers & Scientists from Around the World

Denver, CO (July 25, 2012) The 6^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in Denver, Co. September 24-27 will showcase more than 30 presentations in its Biology track from researchers and scientists at leading companies, universities and national labs during the course of the three-day event. These sessions are designed for highly technical audiences and will do a “deep dive” into new research, breakthroughs and insights related to algae biology.

“We’ve attracted and recruited an incredible group of leaders whose work is key to unlocking the full potential of algae as a feedstock for fuel, food, feed and other co-products,” said Phil Pienkos, Principal Group Manager, Applied Sciences for the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and  Chair of the Algae Biomass Summit. “Anyone interested in or involved in the technical aspects of algal biology will not want to miss the presentations.”

Highlights among the nearly three dozen presentations include:

• Jürgen Polle, Professor, Biology Department & Associate Director, Aquatic Research & Environmental Assessment Center, Brooklyn College of CUNY will present Isoprenoid Metabolism in the Diverse Lineages of Micoalgae.

• Martin Spalding, Professor, Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University will present Increased CO2 Fixation Biomass and Lipid in Transgenic Chlamydomonas without Nitrogen Starvation.

• George Oyler, Associate Professor, Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present Chlamy Chloroplast ExpressionVHH Antibodies and Protein Delivery Domains and VHH Antibodies for Oral Therapeutics.

• Qiang Hu, Professor, CTI Applied Sciences & Math, Arizona State University will present Comparative Study of Predators in Mass Cultures of Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Nannochloropsis.

• Jian Xu, Group Leader, Functional Genomics/Director, BioEnergy Genome Center, QIBEBT will present Structure and Regulation of Triacylglycerol Synthesis Network in Wild Oleaginous Algae Nannochlorops oceanic.

The Biology Track is one of four tracks, plus plenary sessions and posters, which comprise the agenda for the Algae Biomass Summit. In total, there are expected to be more than 90 live and 120 poster presentations during the Summit. The 2011 Algae Biomass Summit was attended by more than 800 stakeholders from more than 25 countries across the algae industry. Organizers are expecting an even larger turnout for this year’s event.

The Summit comes at a time when industry is increasingly looking for new sources of sustainable raw materials—feedstock—for a wide range of end uses. Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

The Algae Biomass Summit is produced by the Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the US algae Industry. More information about the Summit can be found atwww.algaebiomasssummit.org.

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.

Contacts:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

Today the U.S. Navy begins its Green Fleet demonstrations in Hawaii–the largest display of biofueled naval power yet. Biofuels derived from a variety of sources, including algae, will be used in U.S. ships and aircraft as part of the Navy’s effort to reduce its reliance on imported oil. In support of the demonstrations, Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization, issued the following statement:

“The Algae Biomass Organization congratulates the U.S. Navy on its use of domestically-produced fuels made from algae as part of its continued testing program for biofuels. Today’s successful  demonstration of the “Great Green Fleet” at the Rim of the Pacific Exercise  is the latest in a series  of tests by the Navy and other major players that show that algae-based fuels can perform the same, or better, than petroleum fuels.

Fuels made from algae are made in the U.S.A, are 100-percent compatible with existing infrastructure, and in the near future, will be price-competitive with petroleum.  By developing domestic alternatives to petroleum, the U.S. algae industry is helping reducing our reliance on imported oil, creating manufacturing jobs in rural communities, and strengthening our national security.”

Diverse group represents value chain and includes representatives from academia, algae production, end-users and professional services

MINNEAPOLIS–May 8, 2012 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today announced the election of eight members to its Board of Directors for the 2012-2014 term. John Pierce, of DLA Piper LLP, will serve as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. The new and re-elected board members join seven others that are already serving terms on the board.

ABO’s Board guides the organization in its mission to educate the general public, policymakers and industry about the benefits of algae to address energy security, food production and sustainability, and to advocate for policies that can accelerate the development of commercial markets for products made from algae.

ABO’s Board is comprised of representatives from all sectors of an industry that is seeing more investment as well the construction of several large-scale demonstration projects across the country. Board members come from industry sectors that include academia, professional services, producers, technology suppliers, project developers and end-users. Newly elected board members are:

• Phil Pienkos – National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Jim Rekoske – Honeywell UOP

Six board members were re-elected to a new two-year term:

• Mark Allen – Accelergy Corporation
• John Benemann – MicroBio Engineering, Inc.
• Tom Byrne – Byrne & Company, Ltd.
• Bill Glover – Boeing Commercial Airplanes
• Greg Mitchell – Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Joel Murdock – FedEx Expres

These new and re-elected board members join ABO’s current board members:

• John Pierce – DLA Piper LLP (US)
• Qiang Hu – Laboratory for Algae Research, Arizona State University
• Ira “Ike” Levine – University of Southern Maine
• Margaret McCormick – Targeted Growth, Inc.
• Paul Woods – Algenol Biofuels
• Tim Zenk – Sapphire Energy
• David Hazlebeck – General Atomics

“ABO’s mission to keep the algae industry moving forward relies heavily on the commitment and expertise of our board of directors,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “It’s great to see a continuation of our cross-industry representation from start-up algae production companies to global Fortune 500 companies.”

In addition to education and outreach efforts with policymakers, ABO produces and hosts the industry’s premier global conference, the Algae Biomass Summit, which this year will be held in Denver, CO, September 24-27. Earlier this year, ABO launched AllAboutAlgae.com, the first website designed to showcase algae’s potential to audiences ranging from those just learning about algae to seasoned algae enthusiasts, media and entrepreneurs.

About the Algal 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

Media Contact:
Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com