One of the exhibitors at the recent National Biodiesel Conference that I met with was Drew Harrison, Analytical Sales Manager for IKA Works, Inc. The company was displaying its new Bio Reactor, seen brightly lit in this photo. Drew says IKA is a hundred year old company. Working with a marine science center they helped them build a photo bio …
Researcher to Genetically Modify Algae for Biodiesel
A researcher at Iowa State University is genetically modifying algae to make it a better feedstock for biodiesel. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says Martin Spalding, ISU professor of genetics, development and cell biology,has received a $4.37 million grant U.S. Department of Energy to stack traits in algae, specifically, one type of alga, Chlamydomonas, whose genome has already been mapped …
Algae Association to Hold Workshop on Wastewater Use
The National Algae Association’s Mid-South Chapter will be holding a workshop on how to best use wastewater to grow algae, especially algae for use in biodiesel. The workshop, entitled “Algae: Mining Wastewater for Nutrients, Fuel, and Fertilizer,” will be held in Huntsville, Alabama on Friday, March 26, 2010: With US fresh water supplies slowly dwindling and algae culture quickly becoming …
US Military: Just Months Until Affordable Algae-Biodiesel
One of the biggest knocks on algae-based biodiesel is the high cost for the truly green fuel. But the U.S. military says it is just months away from making biodiesel from algae for the same cost as its petroleum-based counterpart. The UK’s Guardian reports that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency … better known as DARPA …. which helped develop …
UNL Begins Expansion for Algae Research
Algae research continues to get a lot of focus. University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced that it will expand its algae research center this year, dedicating more space in the Beadle Center greenhouse for the work. As reported by Biomass Magazine, the university received $1.9 million in federal funding for it current research in alternative energy and is anticipating additional funds. …
OriginOil Unveils System for Algae Growth & Harvest
Our friends at OriginOil, Inc. have developed a comprehensive pilot system for algae growth and harvesting. This company press release says OriginOil unveiled the system during an event at its Los Angeles headquarters: At the event, Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO, spoke to the assembled group of core investors, celebrities and members of the press. “I’m very proud of our team …
Biodiesel Maker Contends Study Proves Algae’s Worth
A recent study that contends algae-based biodiesel is no more environmentally friendly than conventional row-crop feedstocks has generated some controversy, as well as quite a few comments. And even the algal-biofuel industry seems to be split on the issue. As you might remember from my story last week, University of Virginia researchers have concluded that algae’s environmental footprint is larger …
Algae Might Not Be as Green as Crops for Biodiesel
We’ve talked a lot about the potential of turning algae into biodiesel, especially how it could be better for the environment than more conventional feedstocks, such as farm crops like soybeans and canola. But researchers at the University of Virginia are casting some doubt on that assumption. This story on Greenbang.com says their new study finds that growing algae for …
Biomass to Provide Power for Algae Biodiesel Plant
An algae-biodiesel plant in Alabama will be powered by biomass. This press release posted on CNNMoney.com says Nevada-based Energy Quest, Inc. will build a turn key biomass (wood waste) to power/algae energy plant producing 26.8 megawatt (24 net) of power in Piedmont, Alabama: The attached Algae biodiesel plant will produce a clean and efficient fuel that can be used in …
Stimulus Bucks to Fund Algae Biofuels Research
Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act … aka the Stimulus Bill … will go to fund research on algae-based biofuels. This press release from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory says the lab will get about $14.2 million for its role in two biofuels research consortia: [Energy Secretary Steven] Chu funded the consortia with nearly …