Category: Uncategorized

Algae fuel will have a significant energy return on investment, consume waste CO₂ and can be grown in saltwater on marginal lands

MINNEAPOLIS (September 19, 2013) –Algae-derived biofuel can reduce life cycle CO₂emissions by 50 to 70 percent compared to petroleum fuels, and is approaching a similar Energy Return on Investment (EROI) as conventional petroleum according to a new peer-reviewed paper published in Bioresource Technology. The study, which is the first to analyze real-world data from an existing algae-to-energy demonstration scale farm, shows that the environmental and energy benefits of algae biofuel are at least on par, and likely better, than first generation biofuels.

“This study affirms that algae-based fuels provide results without compromise,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “With significant emissions reductions, a positive energy balance, nutrient recycling and CO₂ reuse, algae-based fuels will be a long-term, sustainable source of fuels for our nation.”

The study, “Pilot-scale data provide enhanced estimates of the life cycle energy and emissions profile of algae biofuels produced via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL),” is a life cycle analysis of an algae cultivation and fuel production process currently employed at pre-commercial scales. The authors examined field data from two facilities operated by Sapphire Energy in Las Cruces and Columbus, New Mexico that grow and process algae into Green Crude oil. Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude can be refined into drop-in fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The study concluded that algae technologies at commercial scale are projected to produce biofuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions and EROI values that are comparable to first generation biofuels. Additionally, algae based biofuels produced through this pathway at commercial scale will have a significant energy return on investment (EROI), close to petroleum and three times higher than cellulosic ethanol. The system that was evaluated recycles nutrients, can accept an algae feed that is up to 90 percent water in the processing phase, and the final product can be blended with refinery intermediates for refining into finished gasoline or diesel product, resulting in significant energy savings throughout the process.

“These real-world data from demonstration scale facilities gave us new insight and allowed us to understand how scale will impact the benefits and costs of algae-to-energy deployment.” said lead author Andres F. Clarens, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. “These results suggest that algae-based fuels made using HTL have an environmental profile that is comparable to conventional biofuels.”

The authors also write that expected improvements in the industry mean that algae-based biofuels are set to surpass advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol in terms of both energy returns and greenhouse gas emissions. 

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

International Symposium on Algal Biomass brings together industry leaders from US, Japan and around the globe

TOKYO (September 4, 2013) –The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, and the Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, Japan (AIIC), a group working to commercialize algae biofuels in Japan, announced today a cooperative effort to share algae industry best practices and expertise that is commencing at the International Symposium on Algal Biomass being held September 5-6 at the Nomura Conference Plaza Nihonbashi in Tokyo, Japan.

The AIIC contacted ABO for assistance in bringing together global algae expertise as part of the government of Japan’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy base. ABO’s membership includes some of the most sophisticated algae companies in the world, and the US has become the global leader in the industry thanks to the cooperative efforts of entrepreneurs, scientists and several successful public-private partnerships that are making commercial algae production a reality.

“ABO and its members are honored to help the AIIC assemble an international community of experts to share knowledge about algae’s potential as a renewable source of energy,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “The high yields of algae and the ability to grow in saltwater with minimal impacts on agricultural land make algae-derived biofuels and other products attractive for any nation interested in sustainable sources of energy.”

ABO assisted the AIIC by facilitating contacts with global algae industry leaders, federal agencies and the research community. Some of the US-based algae industry experts that will be presenting at the symposium include:

• Mark Allen, VP of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy Corporation
• Craig Behnke, Senior Director of Cultivation, Sapphire Energy, Inc.
• Christopher Cassidy of the US Department of Agriculture
• Daniel Fishman of the Bioenergy Technologies Office at the US Department of Energy
• Stephen Mayfield, Director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology at the University of California, San Diego
• Philip Pienkos, Applied Science Principal Group Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Joelle Simonpietri of the US Pacific Command
• Emilie Slaby, Market Manager of Natural and Organic Protein Products at The Scoular Company
• Fred Tennant, Director of Business Development at Heliae Development, LLC
• Joseph Zwillinger, Manager of Business Development at Solazyme, Inc.

“The AIIC is grateful for the cooperation of the Algae Biomass Organization and the international algae community,” said Isao Inouye of the University of Tsukuba and Board Chairman of AIIC. “Japan’s energy goals and technical expertise can play a positive role in accelerating the commercialization of algae cultivation technologies that can provide sustainable fuels, chemicals and other products. We are looking forward to a productive partnership.”

A full description of the event and current agenda can be found at: https://algae-consortium.jp/isab2013/

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.

Algae Biomass Summit Showcases Innovation in Algae Engineering
Engineering and Analysis track features groundbreaking research in all aspects of algae production

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 14, 2013) — The Engineering and Analysis track of the 7th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in Orlando, Florida, September 30-October 3 will highlight a wide range of new technologies and scientific breakthroughs in algae production systems. Through more than 30 presentations, leading scientists, researchers, and industry innovators will discuss papers and offer presentations on the new methods for analyzing and producing algae-based products such as fuels, animal feed, nutritional products, bioplastics and chemicals. Early bird registration discounts end August 19. Registration information is available at: http://algaebiomasssummit.org/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=Registration___Rates.

“Groundbreaking research and best practices from around the industry will be presented at this year’s summit, highlighting the continuing innovation and new approaches to commercialize algae-based products,” said Ron Chance, Senior Scientific Advisor, Physical Sciences at Algenol and Chair of the Summit’s Engineering and Analysis track. “These presentations will showcase the key breakthroughs in production methods, extraction processes and cultivation techniques that can help bring sustainable, algae-based products to a wide range of industrial and consumer markets.”

Highlights from the Engineering and Analysis presentations include:

• Bounded Opportunities: Physical, Biological, Material and Economic Constraints on Photobioreactor Design
  Pete Lammers, Professor, New Mexico State University

• A Comparison of Two Cultivation Systems: Open Pond and Algae Raceway Integrated Design (ARID)
  James Richardson, Regents Professor & Senior Faculty Fellow, Texas A&M University

• Technical And Economic Aspects for Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae
  John Holladay, Manager, Biomass Sector, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

• Low Energy, Wet Solvent Extraction
  Jason Quinn, Assistant Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Utah State University

The Engineering and Analysis track is one of three tracks, plus plenary sessions and posters, which comprise the agenda for the Algae Biomass Summit, the world’s largest conference focused on algae-based technologies. In total, there are expected to be more than 110 live presentations during the Summit.

The Summit comes at a time when industry is increasingly looking for new sources of alternative fuels, feed stocks, and consumer products. Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. This tiny powerful organism has the ability to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, reuse 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, including early bird registration rates that expire August 19th, can be found at www.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

Industry leaders to highlight pathways to commercial production of algae-derived fuel, feed and other valuable products

Orlando, FL (August 8, 2013) –The 7^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in Orlando, Florida, September 30-October 3 will showcase the rapid advances in the algae industry during the Innovation on the Road to Commercialization track of the world’s largest algae conference.  Through more than 30 presentations, algae industry professionals, global business leaders and government officials will inform audiences about the wide variety of commercialization paths for algae-based products such as fuels, animal feed, nutritional products, bioplastics and chemicals.

“An impressive array of companies and researchers will present at this year’s summit addressing innovation and advancements to commercialization across the value chain and markets for algae products,” said Mark Allen, Vice President of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy and Chair of the Summit’s Commercialization Track. “Their presentations promise to reveal how algae derived foods, fuels and products can continue to be offered to new customers. Increases in cultivation yields, harvesting techniques and innovative product design are bringing these alternative products to a wide spectrum of customers.”

Highlights from the Road to Commercialization presentations include:

• Tales from the Other Side: Crossing the Valley of Death in the Algae Industry
  Nick Donowitz, Director, Corporate Development, Heliae

• Shifting Focus From Fuels to Foods: How to Enter the Food, Feed, and Nutraceutical Markets
  Greg Sower, Manager, ENVIRON International Corp

• Enhancing the Economic Model of Algal Bio-Products
  Dil Vashi, Manager, Corporate Development, Solutions4CO2 Inc.

• A Place for Algal Biofuels Within the Energy-Water-Food Nexus
  Philip Pienkos, Principal Group Manager, National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

The Innovation on the Road to Commercialization track is one of three tracks, plus plenary sessions and posters, which comprise the agenda for the Algae Biomass Summit. In total, there are expected to be more than 110 live presentations during the Summit. The 2012 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 alternative fuels, feed stocks, and consumer products. Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. This tiny powerful organism has the ability to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, reuse 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, including early bird registration rates that expire August 19^th, can be found at www.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.

This past Friday at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences’ National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) in East Boothbay, Maine, the public was invited to an open house that was also the first Summer of Algae event of 2013.

Reports are that hundreds turned out the visit NCMA facility for tours that featured talks on the importance of maintaining the diversity of NCMA’s collection for future research in the biotechnology industry. Microscopes were also available for the attendees to view the strains close up.

Plenty of algae-related souvenirs were also available. Check out the “Got Algae” shirts in the picture on Bigelow’s Facebook page:

The Summer of Algae is ABO’s annual campaign of open-houses and educational events to raise awareness about the promise of commercial algae production to create jobs, domestic fuels, feed and food products, as well as plastics and biochemicals.

The series of open-house style events and news announcements gives local and national officials an opportunity to experience the research, products and jobs being created by leading algae companies and research institutions.

Read ABO’s press release of last week for a list of participating ABO members.