Algae: The New Biofuel

[b cole]

National Algae Association

Algae: The Next Biofuel

www.nationalalgaeassociation.com

[Development Crossing]

Hi Cole,

It would be helpful if you provided more information on your Forums or projects you are working in the discussion forum, rather than just providing a link. Thanks and welcome!

[b cole]

George Bush said the U.S. needs to "get off oil". Why not algae oil?

We are working on the commercialization of algae oil production in the U.S.

With $100 a barrel of oil, algae can be very attractive. No C02 emissions, doesn't have any effect on the food chain and uses less land than any energy crop.

If the prevailing market price paid to the farmer is at a rate of $4.00/gal for standing crop feedstock oil, then the top potential income per acre is as follows:

Soybeans - 300 Gal/acre/year = $1,200 acre/year

Camelina - 400 Gal/acre/year = $1,600 acre/year

Palm Oil - 700 Gal/acre/year = $2,800 acre/year

(This assumes that the Farmer is pressing his seed crop to extract the oil and is presenting the oil for sale at $4.00 Gal)

Using a selling price for Algae Oil at $2.00 Gal/acre/year here is the comparison using the lower production figure of 3,000 Gal/acre/year:

Algae Oil – 3,000 Gal/acre/year = $6,000 acre/year

[Dan Johnson]

Too expensive and insufficient to produce enough oil out of algae. We are not there yet.

[b cole]

The farmer can make more money per acre growing algae than any terrestial plants (i.e., soy, canola, palm or rapeseed) using less land. We are aware of companies building 20mm gallon algae production plants on 85 acres. Algae also does not affect the food channel.

[Dan Johnson]

Don't get me wrong, I am all for it but i read an article which said it would be too inefficient. Let me see if I can find it and get your opinion. Any pressure from the big Oil companies?

[b cole]

Actually big Oil has invested millions into Algae research and are building ponds.

[Dan Johnson]

It was the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which researched oil production of algae and it was terminated because it was just too expensive and could not compete with low oil prices. But you are right I guess times changes I just read this article and it is saying that they are restarting the program in a couple of months.

[Sally McNeal]

The only area is pretty new to me but certainly sounds very interesting. I went on Wikipedia (I know, not the greatest source :)) but it said:
"The oil yield per unit area of algae is estimated to be 5,000 to 20,000 gallons per acre, per year (4.6 to 18.4 l/m2 per year); this is 7 to 30 times greater than the next best crop, Chinese tallow (699 gallons)."

Pretty impressive!