Green Goo: Using Algae As A Biofuel

It seems that I hear about a new alternative energy source everyday.  That’s a good thing, though.  It means that there is innovation happening.  The latest that came across the old SCREAM desk from our friend ERAS is an article in the WSJ about using algae to create fuel. 

We’ve discussed corn many times in the past.  There probably isn’t enough corn grown in the US to sustain ethanol production for a switch from crude oil.  Then there is the fact that you’re loading your crops with pesticides that are made from oil.  So why not algae?  Algae is ugly and messy, but it grows very quickly.  It’s much more sustainable than corn.  It can multiply its weight several times over in the course of one day.  Pair that with science which can make the algae grow even quicker, and you’re on to something.  Also, the body weight of algae is around 50% oil – which is a much larger percentage than the alternatives.

Popular mechanics says, “The science is simple: Algae need water, sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow. The oil they produce can then be harvested and converted into biodiesel; the algae’s carbohydrate content can be fermented into ethanol. Both are much cleaner-burning fuels than petroleum-based diesel or gas.”

“If we were to replace all of the diesel that we use in the United States” with an algae derivative, says Solix CEO Douglas Henston, “we could do it on an area of land that’s about one-half of 1 percent of the current farm land that we use now.”

As I say in my head in the best “Guinness commercial voice,” BRILLIANT. 

Currently, both BP and Shell are in R&D on the use of algae. 

Source: WSJ, Popular Mechanics