An Australian algae company has completed a new test cultivation site. Biofuels Journal reports Aurora Algae, working Durack Institute of Technology, Aurora Algae finished building the new facility in Geraldton, Western Australia. The project will evaluate the potential in that area the production of microalgae and adds to Aurora Algae’s pilot-scale algae cultivation facility in Karratha, Western Australia that produces …
Highlighting Algae’s Potential for Biofuels & More
A trade organization for the algae industry is trying to raise awareness of the green goo’s potential to serve as a feedstock for biofuels and more. The Algae Biomass Organization launched its second annual “Summer of Algae” campaign that will feature a series of open-house style events and news announcements to give “local and national officials an opportunity to experience …
From Toilet to Tank
The All-gas project, funded by the European Union, has achieved a milestone: successful crop of algae biomass at its site in Chiclana in Southern Spain. The goal of the project is to develop low-cost biofuel from algae grown in wastewater. The All-gas project proposes using this wastewater, as well as CO2, generated in biomass boilers from residuals such as garden …
New Biofuels Projects Announced by DOE
During remarks at the Energy Department’s (DOE) Biomass 2013 annual conference, Secretary Ernest Moniz highlighted the important role biofuels play in the Administration’s Climate Action Plan to increase our energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. During the event, Secretary Moniz announced over $22 million in new investments to help develop cost-competitive algae fuels and streamline …
Sapphire Energy Pays Off USDA Loan
Sapphire Energy has paid off the entire loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In December 2009, the company was awarded $54.5 million through the Biorefinery Assistance Program, administered by the USDA Rural Development-Cooperative Service (and one of the energy programs in jeopardy in the current House version of its farm bill). The funds were to be used …
Researchers Look to Remove Algae for Biofuel
One of the scourges of lakes during summertime is an algae bloom. While some algae serves as an important part of the food chain, other varieties can become too plentiful and kill off large amounts of wild fish. Researchers from the University of Buffalo are looking at ways to remove that slimy, green mess and turn it into useful materials, …
A New Use for Algae in Biofuel Production
According to an article in the journal Phycologia, a recent research study examined a promising freshwater algal strain for possible genetic engineering applications that could make it a viable biofuel. The research, conducted by a research team in Japan, was aimed at reducing the time from research to commercial production of algal-based biofuels. The article takes an in-depth look at …
Algae Biomass Summit: A Must Attend
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) will be hosting its 7th annual Algae Biomass Summit this fall, September 30-October 3, 2013 in Orlando, Florida. To get an overview of key speakers and topics, I turned to ABO Executive Director Mary Rosenthal. To date, Rosenthal said that have nearly 100 speakers confirmed along with a huge poster presentation and more than 60 …
Sapphire, Linde Partner to Turn Algae into Crude Oil
San Diego-based Green Crude – oil made from algae – producer Sapphire Energy, Inc. and German gasses and engineering company The Linde Group have partnered to commercialize a new industrial scale technology to turn algae biomass into crude oil. The five-year deal is to go through the development of Sapphire Energy’s first commercial scale, algae-to-energy production facility. “Sapphire Energy is …
Algae Products Producer Gets Expansion Funding
An Arizona-based producer of algae products, including biofuels, has secured nearly $30 million in funding that it hopes to use to expand its operation. Biofuels Journal reports Heliae raised the $28.4 million that will be used for support and expansion of its first commercial facility in Gilbert, Ariz., set to startup this September. “With Heliae’s first commercial plant on schedule …