Category: Press

Document intended to remove confusion, increase cohesion among experts evaluating algae technology

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – December 2, 2010 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today released its “Algal Industry Minimum Descriptive Language” document — the first attempt at establishing a “common language” for the algae industry. The document, which is intended to help facilitate life cycle analysis, unify research and spur the deployment of algae demonstration facilities, is currently available for viewing and public comment here on the ABO website.

“The absence of common descriptive language has led to a lack of harmony among technologists, researchers, life cycle analysis specialists and entrepreneurs as they evaluate and promote algae technologies,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO.  “This confusion has made it hard for others to truly capture, analyze and quantify algae technologies relative to one another. With a common language, such as the one we and many volunteer stakeholders have proposed, we hope to bring more clarity to the industry.”

The newly-released document was authored by the ABO’s Technical Standards Committee chaired by Jim Sears of A2BE Carbon Capture. The committee works to develop standards and best practices for the algae industry and facilitate the flow of information among industry stakeholders. More than 20 industry experts and organizations reviewed and commented on the document, including individuals from industry associations, national labs, companies and research institutions. It provides a set of metrics and variables for estimating and measuring the economic and environmental footprint and economic impact of an algal production facility, including all inputs and outputs.

ABO’s efforts at standardizing language for the algae industry come as the industry continues to demonstrate significant growth. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of algae-to-biofuel start ups more than tripled. A leading analysis of the algae industry projected that the industry would grow by nearly 50 percent annually over the coming decade.

The ABO will be accepting comments to the document through March 31, 2011.  To provide comment, please submit your comments to technicalstandards@algaebiomass.org.  All submitted comments will be reviewed by the Technical Standards committee and a determination will be made by the committee for inclusion in the final document due for publication 2Q of 2011.

Algae-based fuels hit another key performance milestone as Navy seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – October 25, 2010 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today applauded the U.S. Navy’s successful test of a vessel powered by a 50-50 blend of the Navy’s traditional shipboard fuel and algae-based renewable diesel.  ABO member Solazyme, a renewable oil and bioproducts company, produced and delivered the 100% algal derived naval distillate fuel, known as SoladieselÒ_HRF-76Renewable F-76 Fuel.

“The Navy’s historic test marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of the U.S. algae industry.  Once again, an innovative American company shows what is possible when great minds combine with great determination. We congratulate Solazyme on this remarkable achievement,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO Executive Director. “The Navy’s successful test shows the potential for algae to be a scalable and sustainable source for advanced biofuels that creates jobs and increase our national security. The Navy has made renewable energy a priority and the U.S. algae industry is answering the call.”

“We also commend the extraordinary leadership of the U.S. military, especially Rear Admiral Philip Cullom and the Navy, for supporting the continued investment in domestic energy supplies,” continued Rosenthal.  “Their commitment to a Green Strike Group in 2012 and a Great Green Fleet in 2016 means no longer does our industry have to hope that ‘if you build it, they will come.’ Instead, our industry can look to our nation’s armed forces, including the Navy, as important drivers of demand for renewable, domestically produced fuels derived from algae.”

“From a strategic perspective, we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels from unstable locations,” said Rear Admiral Philip Cullom, director of the Navy’s Energy and Environmental Readiness Division in a statement. “Tactically, efficient use of energy resources extends our combat range and use of non-petroleum fuels assures multiple supplies are available.”

U.S. Navy’s Rear Admiral Philip Cullom, Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn discuss role of algae-based fuels in enhancing U.S. energy security, addressing climate change and stoking resurgence of U.S. innovation

 

PHOENIX – September 30, 2010 – Day Two of the 2010 Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) and the world’s largest conference focused solely on algae, was highlighted by calls from the highest ranking current and former U.S. Navy leaders for the algae industry be part of a “regeneration generation” by providing renewable, domestic fuels and energy technologies that enhance American energy security, address climate change and strengthen America’s economy.

“Our generation’s legacy so far is that we’re pretty good consumers,” said Rear Admiral Philip Cullom, the Director of the U.S. Navy’s Energy and Environmental Readiness Division as well as the Navy’s Task Force Energy, in his keynote address to an audience of more than 600 stakeholders in the algae industry. “But we can be a different generation – and that generation is a regeneration generation. I think all of you in this room can help capture that…for the nation and for the world.”

Industry leaders and stakeholders from 27 countries are participating in the three-day conference, the world’s largest event focused on the promise of algae to address environmental, economic and energy challenges.

Addressing the conference during the luncheon was Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, a leading expert on the link between energy, climate change and international security. “With the right kinds of clean energy technologies, we will have a stronger economy…and a much more secure world,” said Vice Admiral McGinn. “I am saying that we need you for our national security. The United States armed forces need this industry to succeed…we need to recognize that the potential that algal biofuels have for the future is fantastic.”

Day Two of the Algae Biomass Summit also featured a number of breakout sessions focused on the algae industry, including international technology development, commercialization and project finance. Photos and video of the conference’s events, as well as the pre-conference tour, are available here.

Governor Jan Brewer proclaims “Algae Innovation Awareness Week” in Arizona

 

PHOENIX – September 29, 2010 – The 2010 Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), opened yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona, and was marked by several major announcements, including funding for algae research, special proclamations, and federal legislation.  More than 600 industry leaders and stakeholders from 27 countries are participating in the event, the world’s largest algae conference.

“Today’s special and first-of-a-kind announcements added another level of energy and excitement to the Summit,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO. “We’re thrilled with the broad array of people, organizations and countries represented here at the conference, and look forward to two more days of informative sessions and networking.”

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer kicked off the event with a major funding announcement – a $2 million investment in the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI), a partnership between Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) and Arizona State University (ASU). AzCATI will serve as a statewide and international intellectual and resource hub for algae-based goods, find innovative commercial uses for algae, operate as a learning environment for next generation scientists, facilitate collaboration between higher education, industry and national entities and be a national “test bed” for algae technology.  The Governor also proclaimed the week of September 26 – October 2, 2010 as “Algae Innovation Awareness Week” in the state of Arizona.

While it didn’t happen at the conference, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4168, the Algae-based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act, which gives algae-based biofuel tax parity with cellulosic biofuels with respect to a $1.01 per gallon production tax credit and a 50 percent bonus depreciation for biofuel plant property. This strong show of support for the U.S. algae industry was well received by attendees.

Among the many presentations and panel sessions, the subject of the use of genetic technology in developing algae and associated risks was addressed by Stephen Mayfield, Ph.D., director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology and a professor at University of California, San Diego. Dr. Mayfield discussed the stringent regulatory requirements for development, as well as the inability of genetically enhanced algae to survive in the wild. An interview with Dr. Mayfield is availablehere.

Photos and video of the day’s events, as well as the pre-conference tour, are available here.

Legislation removes a major barrier to commercialization of algae-based biofuels

Washington DC (September 28, 2010) – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4168, the Algae-based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act.  ABO specifically recognized Reps. Harry Teague (D-NM), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Brian Bilbray (R-CA) for leading efforts to give algae-based biofuel tax parity with cellulosic biofuels with respect to a $1.01 per gallon production tax credit and a 50 percent bonus depreciation for biofuel plant property.

“Today, the House sent an unmistakable message of bipartisan support to the hundreds of companies, scientists, entrepreneurs and government agencies working to accelerate the development of algae-based fuels, which will create jobs, decrease emissions and reduce our nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO. “The passage of this bill is a huge first step towards our goal of creating parity for algae-based biofuels within the tax code and among various other government programs.”

The timing of the legislation’s passage could not have been better, as Tuesday was the first full day of the 4^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference and trade show of the Algae Biomass Organization, the largest annual gathering of algae industry leaders in the world. More than 600 attendees have gathered in Phoenix, Arizona for the three-day summit, which features more than 100 speakers, dozens of exhibitors and poster sessions.  The full agenda, including a list of current speakers, is available at:https://algaebiomass.org/events/2010-algae-biomass-summit/agenda/.

“We’d like to thank the House – and particularly our vocal Democratic and Republican supporters in Congress – for supporting algae and giving our attendees another reason to celebrate and feel great about our industry’s prospects,” said Rosenthal.