National Institute of Technology
Date: 2020-08-24
In New Delhi, Dr. T. Mathimani from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, reports his research team have isolated predominant strains of marine microalgal species -- Picochlorum sp., Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella sp. -- from the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu for their potential in terms of total organic carbon content, and Triacylglycerides (TAG) content for biodiesel production.

Researchers are focusing on other microalgal candidates for their multiple biotechnological potentials and switchable polarity solvent (SPS) system based lipid extraction. SPS is an energy-efficient switchable solvent that can be recovered devoid of any thermal processes and can be reused as green solvent for algal lipid extraction. Metabolic engineering approaches can be used to escalate TAG accumulation for increasing biodiesel yield, and magnetic nanocomposite can be used for several cycles of algal dewatering, and its treated culture suspension can be reused to scale down the biodiesel production cost significantly. The group will now formulate a roadmap by which biodiesel can be produced commercially and can be put in an energy market sustainably, according to the release. (Source: National Institute of Technology, India Educational Diary, 24 Aug., 2020) Contact: India National Institute of Technology, Dr. T. Mathimani, +91 172 509 0513, www.nitt.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Amicroalgae news,  Algae news,  BiodieselBiofuel news,  

Chevron Lummus Global
Date: 2020-07-22
Bloomfield, New Jersey-based Chevron Lummus Global -- a joint venture between Chevron and engineering firm McDermott -- and Albuquerque, New Mexico-headquartered Applied Research Associates Inc. are reporting the startup of Euglena Co. Ltd.'s integrated Biofuels Isoconversion unit in Yokohama, Japan.

The 5 bpd, first-of-its-kind demonstration unit employs Euglena's isoconversion technology which was jointly developed by CLG and ARA, to produce renewable jet fuel and renewable diesel out of an algae oil blend and waste vegetable oil.

Biofuels Isoconversion technology consists of hydrothermal conversion and hydroprocessing operations that convert waste fats, oils and greases into jet fuel and diesel that are virtually indistinguishable from their petroleum counterparts. This will result in more than 80 pct reductions in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum, once it is commercialized.

ReadiJet and ReadiDiesel, produced from the Biofuels Isoconversion technology, contain a uniform distribution of all hydrocarbon types observed in petroleum fuels, including aromatic, cycloparaffin, isoparaffin and normal paraffin compounds, and are able to be directly blended with petroleum fuels, according to the release. (Source: Chevron Lummus Global , PR, 21 July, 2020) Contact: Chevron Lummus Global, 973-893-1515, www.chevronlummus.com; Applied Research Associates, www.ara.com; Euglena Co. Ltd. www.euglena.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Euglena,  Algae Biofuel,  Biofuel,  Renewable Diesel,  

Mazda
Date: 2020-04-01
Further to our 2nd Nov., 2018 coverage, Japanese auto maker Mazda is reporting its "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030" is continuing its participation in joint government and industry research aimed at adopting biofuels from microalgae. Mazda's interest in biofuels is part of its push to cut its CO2 emissions to 50 pct of 2010 levels by 2030 and 90 pct by 2050.

Mazda's role in the R&D effort is to provide technical support to the research into genome editing by Hiroshima University and plant physiology by the Tokyo Institute of Technology. (Source: Mazda, ZigWheels, Mar., 2020) Contact: Mazda, www.mazda.com/en/inquiry

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  Mazda,  

MacroFuels.
Date: 2020-02-19
As part of the European Union MacroFuels project, researchers in Aarhus, Denmark, are testing a 3rd generation seaweed biofuel as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Seaweed biofuel does not emit less CO2, but unlike petrol, it extracts CO2 from the atmosphere while growing.

Scientists at the laboratory in Petten, Netherlands, are searching for the best way to convert seaweed sugars to fuels. In some species, this can represent up to 60 pct of the plant. In the long term, researchers foresee the production of tons of ethanol and butanol and hope to cut the fuel production costs by 100 pct.

Download seaweed cultivation program details HERE. (Source: MacroFuels, European Commission, euronews, Feb., 2020) Contact: MacroFuels, Jaap van Hal, Project Executive, +31(0) 88 5154297, jaap.vanhal@tno.nl, www.macrofuels.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News MacroFuels,  Algae,  Seaweed,  Biofuel,  

Missouri State University
Date: 2020-01-24
Missouri State University (MSU) reports professor Jianlin Cheng is working with the St. Louis-based Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to make green algae an efficient, cheap source of energy to replace fossil fuel.

According to the MSU report, if enough green algae could be produced to cover half the state of Maine, for example, it could supply enough "green oil" to replace all of the petroleum used in the United States right now. According to the US DOE, the U.S. has the capacity to produce 5 billion gallons of fuel from algae per year by the year 2030, at a cost of $2.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent. To that end, "algal biomass will need to be produced from large-scale farming operations, similar to agricultural crops," the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy said in a statement.

Cheng, a researcher with the Interdisciplinary Plant Group and director of Bioinformatic at MU, is adapting artificial intelligence to map the shapes and amino acids of proteins to help bioengineers change the structure of the algae and make it more less costly and more efficient for biofuel production.

Cheng's project Deep Learning Prediction of Protein Complex Structures was supported by $167,797 from the US DOE. (Source: University of Missouri, The Columbian, 23 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

Euglena
Date: 2019-12-23
Further to our 5th November, 2018 coverage, Japanese biotechnology company Euglena Co. and major trading house Itochu Corp. are reporting the launch of demonstration projects in Indonesia and Colombia to grow euglena microalgae to be used for the production of biofuel.

The Euglens's Yokohama facility has a production capacity of 125 kiloliters per year (33,000 gpy) of jet biofuel and ASTM certified biodiesel, increasing to 250,000 kiloliters (66,000 gpy) by 2025.

Euglena has partnered with aviation group ANA Holdings with the aim of fueling ANA commercial international flights as well as to offer bio jet fuel to other air carriers departing Japanese airports. ANA will support euglena to develop the airport infrastructure to supply aircraft. (Source: Euglena, Nikkei, 3 Nov., 2018) Contact: Euglena, Mitsuru Izumo, CEO, www.euglena.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Euglena.Microalgae,  Al;gae Biodiesel,  Jet Biofuel,  

Hypergiant
Date: 2019-12-18
Business Insider India is reporting researchers at Austin-Texas-based artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Hypergiant is touting its new EOS Bioreactor technology with Artificial Intelligence (AI).

EOS uses algae-based chemical process technology to capture greenhouse gases. EOS Bioreactor optimizes the growing environment for algae and captures carbon dioxide equivalent to an acre of trees.

"Hypergiant Industries is the AI industrial complex for leading global enterprises and governments. We help major institutions innovate with breakthrough machine intelligence-driven technology. The solutions, products, and companies we create support our customers on their mission to speed beyond norms and realize an exploded potential of the future we were promised through AI," according to the company website. (Source: Hypergiant, Mashable India, 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Hypergiant, Daniel Haab, R&D Dir., (737) 808-4055, info@hypergiant.com, www.hypergiant.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News COs,  Algae,  Carbon Dioxide,  

Qatar Science & Technology Park,Total
Date: 2019-11-25
Reporting from the Qatar Science & Technology Park, Total Research Centre-Qatar (TRC-Q) is announcing the launch of two new research projects using locally sourced microalgae to produce sustainable biofuels and for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). The Centre is also collaborating with Hamad Bin Khalifa University's Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute to develop various clean energy technologies, products and solutions.

According to the release, TRC-Q currently has projects for analytical organic geochemistry and acid stimulation of wells to improve production, as well as flagship projects related to sustainable development, marine biodiversity biofuels and solar energy Microalgae is a promising pathway to sustainable Biofuels and TRC-Q is working with QU and universities and research organisations in the Netherlands, France and China to explore biofuels, as an option for limiting transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to the release. (Source: Total Research Centre-Qatar, Gulf Times, 25 Nov., 2019) Contact: Total, www.total.com/en; Total Research Centre-Qatar, Yousef al-Jaber, Dir., www.afaq.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae news,  Microalgae.Biofuel news,  

TOTAL, Qatar University
Date: 2019-11-20
French energy giant TOTAL and Qatar University's Center for Sustainable Development in Doha are reporting the launch of two research projects for the investigation of micro-algae for biofuels production and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Both projects are sponsored by Total R & D Group and will be performed at Qatar University.

The partnership supports the investigation into sustainable solutions to support the increasing global requirements for biofuels, lubricants, and raw materials, whilst capturing carbon dioxide.

According to TOTAL, algae are sustainable sources of biomass which can be used for a multitude of applications including biofuels production and CO2 sequestration using non-arable lands. (Source: Qatar University, TOTAL, MENAFN, 19 Nov., 2019) Contact: TOTAL Research Center Qatar University, Yousef Al Jaber, Director, +974 4403 3333, www.qu.edu.qa; TOTAL, Marie-Noelle Semeria, Snr. VP, Group CTO, https://fr.linkedin.com › marie-noëlle-semeria-859b8897, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  TOTAL,  CCUS ,  

Wageningen University
Date: 2019-11-15
In the Netherland, researchers at the TNO Research Centre in Petten and at Wageningen University report the production of biofuels from readily available seaweed. The research was part of a larger EU-funded initiative to develop new fuels using seaweed and algae.

Wageningen University Food and Biobased Research (WFBR) provides fundamental, strategic and applied research to enable rapid application of academic knowledge to the market. The Business Unit Biobased Products has a strong focus on primary streams of biomass and bio-residues to produce sustainable industrial raw materials, green chemicals and bio-energy. This is based on extensive experience and expertise in biomass conversion while addressing: biomass composition, availability and costs; physical, chemical and enzymatic pretreatment of biomass; microbial biochemistry, physiology and genomics, bioprocess technology and optimization of fermentation processes.

DLO-FBR will contribute to advanced pretreatment and fractionation to obtain sugars -- for biochemical conversion to fuels -- and the extraction, isolation and characterization of proteins as a feed source and biochemical conversions of sugar-rich fractions to fuels, according to the Wageningen University website. (Source: Wageningen University, DutchNews.nl, 14 Nov., 2019) Contact: Wageningen University, Jaap van Hal, Researcher, +31 (0) 317 480100, www.wur.nl

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Seaweed,  Biofuel,  

Algae Biofuel
Date: 2019-10-23
Algae Biofuel Market by Type -- Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2017 - 2024, a new report from Zion Market Research provides a comprehensive glance of algae biofuel market on the global and regional level. The study gives historical data from 2015 to 2017 along with the forecast from 2018 to 2024 based on both revenue and volume. The study includes major driving forces and restraints for the algae biofuel market along with the impact they have on the demand within the forecast period. Additionally, the study also provides the major growth opportunities of global algae biofuel market.

The global algae biofuel market study also comprises the detailed value chain analysis for providing a comprehensive view of the market. Moreover, the study also includes Porter's Five Forces model for algae biofuel, to understand the competitive landscape of the global market. The study includes a market attractiveness analysis of all the segments related to the market.

Algae Biofuel Market by Type (Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Methane, Jet Fuel, Biobutanol, Biogasoline, Green Diesel, and Others) and for Application (Transportation, Aerospace, and Other Applications): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2017 -2024 report details HERE. (Source: Zion Market Research, Oct. 2019) Contact: Zion Market Research, 386-310-3803, www.zionmarketresearch.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biofuel,  Zion ,  

Zion Market Research
Date: 2019-09-23
Zion Market Research is touting its recently published Algae Biofuel Market by Type (Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Methane, Jet Fuel, Biobutanol, Biogasoline, Green Diesel, and Others) and for Application (Transportation, Aerospace, and Other Applications): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2017 -- 2024 report.

The report covers crucial data associated with worldwide Algae Biofuel Market, highlights the newest technological developments and new launches, and other related developements that impact the algae biofuel market. According to the report the Algae Biofuel Market will will be valued at $9.88 billion by 2024.

Report details are HERE. Request sample copy of Algae Biofuel Market Research Report HERE. (Source: Zion Market Research, Sept., 2019) Contact: Zion Market Research, +49-322 210 92714, USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651, sales@zionmarketresearch.com, www.zionmarketresearch.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Zion Market Research ,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

AECOM,U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Date: 2019-08-07
In the Sunshine State, a 3 week U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to extract harmful algae blooms from Lake Okeechobee for conversion into biofuel is reported to be underway.

The algae will be treated with high temperature and pressure to turn it into a biomass which can be converted into fuel. This process also destroys any toxins that might be in the biomass. While the process of extracting algae and turning it into fuel will not pay for itself, it could offset the cost of the process.

In the pilot program water flows through a container where "billions and billions" of microscopic air bubbles attach to the solids in the water and float the mass to the surface. The algae and cyanobacteria in the water column rise to the top of the tank. The algae is then skimmed off and fed into a cannister that allows the clear water to flow out into another container. The clear water is treated a second time with an ozone process that eliminates toxins, should any be present. The pilot program treats 100 gallons of algae laden water per minute but can be scaled up to treat 100 million gpd.

The Lake Okeechobee algae removal project is the second of three projects funded by the Corps. AECOM, a Los Angeles-headquartered global engineering company that specializes in algae removal is a co-investigator on the project. (Source: Immokalee Buletin, Aug., 2019) Contact: AECOM, Dan Levy, (213) 593 8000, www.aecom.com: US Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Martin Page, Project Manager, 863-983-8101, www.usace.army.mil

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Biofuel.AECOM,  

University of Belgrade Institute for Multidisciplinary Research
Date: 2019-07-26
Serbian scientists at the University of Belgrade's Institute for Multidisciplinary Research report they have increased the production of lipids in algae by around 30 pct through the method of "positive stressing" with sunlight which could contribute to the use of algae as a biological fuel and thus lower the price of biodiesel . The Institute already produces oxygen from microalgae.

Under the title of Radiation Hormesis in the Service of Increasing Biomass Yields from Microalgae the project began in 2017, under the NATO programme Science for Peace and Security in cooperation with the University of Manchester, Baylor University in Texas, and UK-based Varicon Aqua Company which produces bioreactors and systems that grow microalgae.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2020. (Source: University of Belgrade Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Serbian Monitor, 24 July, 2019) Contact: University of Belgrade Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Dr. Sonja Veljovic Jovanovic, Dir., +381-11/3555-258, Fax: +381-11/3055-289, direktor@imsi.rs, office@imsi.rs, www.imsi.bg.ac.rs

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Biodiesel,  

Total
Date: 2019-07-03
In Paris, energy major Total reports it has begun production at the La Mede biorefinery in southeastern France, with the first batches of biofuel coming off the line. It is the final step in converting the former oil refinery into a new energies complex.

Launched in 2015, the Mede biorefinery can produce 500,000 tpy of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a premium biofuel, as well as biodiesel and biojet fuel for the aviation industry. The facility was specifically designed to process all types of oil. Its biofuels will be made: 60 to 70 pct from 100 pct sustainable vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm, sunflower, etc.), and 30 to 40 pct from treated waste (animal fats, cooking oil, residues, etc.).

As part of May, 2018 agreement with the French Government, Total has pledged to process no more than 300,000 tpy of palm oil -- less than 50 pct of the total volume of raw materials needed -- and at least 50,000 tpy of French-grown rapeseed, creating another market for domestic agriculture. All the oils processed will be certified sustainable to European Union standards.

Total is also examining different biomass conversion pathways, such as thermochemical, biotechnology and algae, and is working in its own laboratories and via R&D partnerships with manufacturers, start-ups, universities and private laboratories, including BioTfueL, Novogy and Renmatix. (Source: Total Website, PR, 3 July, 2018) Contact: Total, Investor Relations: +44 (0 )207 719 7962 l, ir@total.com, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Total,  Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  Palm Oil,  

University of Turku
Date: 2019-05-29
Finland's University of Turku doctoral candidate Mikael Jamsa is touting his work on converting algae and cyanobacteria -- commonly known as blue-green algae -- from wastewater to produce biofuels.

Jamsa examined various types of wastewater to determine the most suitable for cultivation of the types of algae which are best at producing bio fuel -- as well as clean up the wastewater itself -- and found "municipal wastewater" the best candidate. According to Jamsa, the algae are removed from wastewater systems then the algae's fat is separated and extracted then converted to fuel.

The researcher noted the best results for biodiesel production were found in green algae. "The blue-green algae are not as effective as green algae because the carbohydrates in the blue-green algae are more easily converted into bio-ethanol, while the fats in green algae are more readily converted to biodiesel," he explained. (Source: University of Turku, Svenska Yle, May, 2019) Contact: University of Turku, +358 29 450 5000, www.utu.fi/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  

Feed Algae
Date: 2019-05-17
In the UK, London-based Feed Algae Ltd. reports it plans to invest $440 million in the development of the 100,000 tpy Al Sharqiyah Algae Farm in the Sultanate of Oman's Sharqiyah Governorate.

The Al Sharqiyah Algae Farm is expected to be one of the world's algae farms when fully operational in 2022. (Source: Oman Daily Observer, 16 May, 2019) Contact: Feed Algae Ltd., https://ca.linkedin.com/company/feed-algae-limited

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  

Algae Biofuel
Date: 2019-05-13
The Global Algae Biofuel Market 2018 research report from ICRWorld Research provides detailed information on the algae biofuel industry based on the revenue and volume for the forecast period 2018-2023. The research report provides the updated business information and industry future trends, identifies and quantifies the market share held by the significant industry players and gives an in-depth view of the competitive landscape.

The report divides the Algae Biofuel market into various regions -- North America, Middle-East a and Africa, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Europe-- as well as nationally.

The report benchmarks and profiles the Algae Biofuel industry leading players on the basis of product portfolio, manufacturing plants, market pricing, sales footprint, target customer types, etc.

Sample Report PDF HERE. Complete TOC of the Report HERE. (Source: ICRWorld Research, Market News Live, May, 2019) Contact: ICRWorld Research, www.icrworld.com, https://ca.linkedin.com/company/icrworld

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biofuel,  

Loughborough Univ
Date: 2019-05-08
Loughborough University has been awarded £200,000 in grant funding from the UK Department for Transport and Supergen Bioenergy Hub -- a group of experts focussed on developing sustainable bioenergy systems -- for two projects which aim to make the transport sector more environmentally friendly. The projects will explore biofuel production, bioenergy carbon capture, and storage and utilisation.

One project, led by Dr Jin Xuan, a Senior Lecturer in Low Carbon Processes, will examine the role of e-biofuel in reducing emissions and increasing the sustainability of the road transport sector while enhancing renewable energy security. The research will examine the feasibility of a novel electrochemical process to produce biofuels while reusing the captured CO2.

The project will develop a new concept of e-biofuel which combines the advantages of both e-fuel (produced from renewable electricity and CO2) and biofuel (produced from biomass) to intensively decarbonise the road transport sector. It also provides Loughborough researchers with a new link to the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Department of Transport.

A second project led by Dr Tanja Radu, a Lecturer in Water Engineering, will research algae-based biomethane fuel purification and carbon sequestration. The project aims to develop and assess an innovative process for the simultaneous production of high-purity biomethane as a potential natural gas vehicle fuel, together with the sequestration of remaining biomass and biogas carbon into algal co-product and biochar.

The Supergen Bioenergy Hub at Aston University aims to bring together industry, academia and other stakeholders to focus on the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable and cost-effective manner. (Source: DfT, Loughborough University, East Midlands Business Link, 8 May, 2019) Contact: Loughborough University, www.lboro.ac.uk; Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Professor Patricia Thornley, Dir., p.thornley@aston.ac.uk, www.supergen-bioenergy.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy news,  Biofuel news,  CCS news,  Biogas news,  

US DOE
Date: 2019-05-06
In Washington, the US DOE has announced over $79 million in funding for bioenergy R&D including biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. This funding supports Agency's goal of providing consumers and businesses with a range of domestic energy options that are affordable, reliable, and secure.

The FOA topics will advance DOE's Bioenergy Technology Office's (BETO) objectives to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower, and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources. Topics areas for this funding opportunity include the following:

Cultivation Intensification Processes for Algae -- Develop technologies for outdoor algae systems that increase the harvest yield, reliability and quality of algae;

Biomass Component Variability and Feedstock Conversion Interface: Research to lower the cost and improve the reliability of biomass handling and preprocessing;

Efficient Wood Heaters -- Develop technologies to reduce emissions and increase efficiency of wood heaters for residential heating;

Systems Research of Hydrocarbon Biofuel Technologies -- Integrate new technologies and processes in experimental prototype systems to improve and verify real-world performance and lower the cost of drop-in Biofuels;

Optimization of Biomass-Derived Jet Fuel Blends -- Identify and develop cost-competitive drop-in renewable jet fuel with improved energy density and lower particulate matter emissions;

Renewable Energy from Urban and Suburban Wastes: Support academic research and educational programs that focus on strategies to produce bioenergy and bioproducts from urban and suburban waste feedstocks;

Advanced Bioprocessing and Agile BioFoundry -- Reduce the time and cost of developing biological processes for biomanufacturing fuels and products through the use of synthetic biology, low capital intensity methods, and continuous production systems;

Plastics in the Circular Carbon Economy -- Develop biobased plastics with improved performance and recyclability and lower the cost and energy-intensity of recycling existing plastics through enhanced degradation;

Rethinking Anaerobic Digestion: Develop anaerobic processes or alternative strategies to enhance carbon conversion efficiency and lower costs of smaller scale wet waste systems;

Reducing Water, Energy, and Emissions in Bioenergy -- Identify biofuels or bioproducts technologies with the greatest potential for reducing water consumption, energy consumption, and/or emissions relative to existing conventional fuels or products.

This FOA also supports the Water Security Grand Challenge, a White House initiated, DOE-led framework to advance transformational technology and innovation to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water. In particular, this funding will support R&D focused on anaerobic digestion, a technology that can help achieve the Grand Challenge's goal to double resource recovery from municipal wastewater. (Source: US DOE EERE, 3 May, 2019) Contact: US DOE EERE, www.energy.gov/eere

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE EERE,  Bioenergy,  Biofuel,  Anaerobic Digestion ,  

Muradel
Date: 2019-04-10
In the Land Down Under, Whyalla, South Australia based microalgae - advanced bio-crude startup company Mursadel is reported to have been placed in voluntary administration -- Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection.

Muradel developed Green2Black, a proprietary way of producing biofuel from biosolids, algae and other sustainable feedstocks. The company's $10.5 million demonstration plant in Whyalla in a bid to commercialize the technology which received $4.5 million in grant funding from the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and more than $500,000 in state and council funds. Unfortunately, production costs were prohibitive - the pilot plant produced oil from micro-algae at about $9.90 a litre against a projected cost of less than $1 a litre. The company also built five algae ponds to support research.

The business was established in 2010 by the University of Adelaide, Murdoch University and majority shareholder SQC Pty Ltd, which is solely funded by Aban Australia Pty Ltd. (part of the Ausker Group of Companies).(Source: Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser, Others, 9 April, 2019) Contact: Muradel, +61 8 8645 5683, www.muradel.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Muradel,  Biofuel,  Algae,  

Bio3Gen,Purdue University
Date: 2019-04-05
In West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University affiliate startup Gen3Bio reports it is advancing a unique way to transform algae used to purify municipal wastewater into specialty bio-based chemicals such as biofuels or bioplastics. The company's "patented enzyme technology breaks open the algae and takes out the sugars, fats and proteins, and converts those into specialty chemicals. It's a way to keep the carbon cycle going by renewing the use of the algae into useful and safe products," according to Bio3Gen founder and CEO Kelvin Okamoto.

Gen3Bio has been accepted into two accelerator programs focused on advancing new environmentally friendly technologies -- the BREW in Milwaukee and Carbontech Labs in San Francisco.

The BREW accelerator, sponsored by The Water Council, focuses on fresh water, wastewater treatment and water treatment technologies.The BREW accelerator offers selected companies $50,000 in funds, connections to office and research space, and access to mentors. At the end of the program in June, Gen3bio, along with the other participants, will pitch their technologies to a panel of investors.

Gen3Bio received assistance from the Purdue Foundry, a startup accelerator that works with any Indiana-based company. The technology is patented and exclusively licensed from the University of Toledo. (Source: Gen3Bio, Purdue News Service, 4 April, 2019) Contact: Gen3Bio, Kelvin Okamoto, kokamoto@gen3bio.com; Purdue Research Foundation, Tom Coyne, (765) 588-1044, tjcoyne@prf.org, www.prf.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bio3Gen,  Algae,  Biofuel,  Biochemical,  Purdue University ,  

University of Utah
Date: 2019-04-05
In a recently published report, researchers at the University of Utah led by Dr. Swomitra Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, describe new technology that will make the development of biofuels from plants more economically feasible.

According to the researchers, the development and commercialization of algae-to-fuel technology has not been developed further because the process by which the oils were extracted from the plants was too costly to be economically viable. However, the new technique developed by Dr. Mohanty and his colleagues may change all that.

"Typically when you take algae you have to go through this drying or dewatering step. What we decided is 'Well, what if I could just take the algae, feed it into this mixer and extract the bio-crude directly without using the energy needed to dewater it as in traditional methods?' Basically what we do is we have a solvent in one end and we have the algae with the water in another end and we shoot them into this little mixer at high velocities. What comes out is basically a slurry of stuff that if you let sit or put into a centrifuge, you can just pull the oil off and process it for fuel," Mohanty noted.

The fuels produced through this process burns cleaner than petroleum diesel in most ways and could potentially replace petroleum diesel in many vehicles, Mohanty said. (Source: University of Utah, Utah Public Radio, 4 April, 2019) Contact: University of Utah, Dr. Swomitra Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, (801) 587-7299, s.k.mohanty@utah.edu, www.utah.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Biofuel,  

Microalgae
Date: 2019-02-25
The recently released Global Microalgae Market Insights 2019-2027 report gives a powerful source to assess the Microalgae market and other critical subtleties identifying with it. The investigation unveils the total assessment and real details of the Microalgae market. The report displays a rudimentary example of the Microalgae market, that involves applications, arrangements, industry chain structure, and definitions.

Yhe report also identifies and profiles markets and major industry players -- DIC Corporation, Cyanotech Corporation, Algaetech Group, TAAU Australia worldwide.

Review Global Microalgae Market Insights 2019-2027 report details HERE and HERE. (Source: Market Research Store,Times of Market, 24 Feb., 2019)Contact: Market Research, +49 322 210 92714, (855) 465-4651 -- US and Canada, www.marketresearchstore.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Microalgae,  

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Date: 2019-02-20
The U.S. DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) reports it is seeking algae industry partners and academic researchers to help find the best algae strains for biofuels and bioproducts to reduce the cost of producing bioenergy from algae feedstocks.

PNNL leads the Development of Integrated Screening, Cultivar Optimization and Verification (DISCOVR) project that employs the unique complementary capabilities of the four participating national laboratories -- Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratorie -- sand the outdoor testbed at the Arizona Center for Algal Technology and Innovation to identify and test high productivity microalgae strains for year-round outdoor cultivation. The goal is to provide a framework to accelerate meeting DOE's advanced biofuel goals with microalgae.

"A key cost driver for algae biofuels is productivity, which is directly tied to which algae strain is chosen and how it's cultivated," said Taraka Dale, a scientist at LANL. "By collaborating with industry and academia, we aim to bring together the best of the best strains and cultivation strategies to rapidly boost productivity and reduce costs."

"So far, we have tested more than 40 new microalgae strains and identified strains with up to 34 percent greater biomass productivity than benchmark strains," said Huesemann. "The success of the DISCOVR strain down selection and testing pipeline was demonstrated in 2018 by achieving more than 13 pct improvement in outdoor pond productivity relative to 2017, reducing the biomass selling price by about 10 pct."

The goal of the call for collaboration is to solicit algae strains, tools and techniques from the algae community to further boost algae productivity. This call gives industry and academia an opportunity to partner with the four national laboratories in DISCOVR, as well as AzCATI. (Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: PNNL, Michael Huesemann, DISCOVR Consortium leader, discovr.algae@lanl.gov, https://discovr.labworks.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ,  

Montana State University
Date: 2019-02-15
With $3 million in US DOE grant funding, researchers at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman are reporting they are in the early stages of a three-year project focused on developing a potential breakthrough in producing biofuels from algae.

Despite promising technology surrounding the conversion of algae oil into biodiesel, the costs of supplying the algae with supplemental CO2 have hampered commercial production. Researchers now believe SLA-04, a recently discovered strain of algae, could be cultivated using only the ambient CO2 of the atmosphere. SLA-04 was discovered in an eastern Washington lake containing high levels of carbonate minerals similar to baking soda. In the lake's unique environment, these algae have been shown to metabolize ambient CO2 very efficiently.

Assoc. Prof. Blake Wiedenheft in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Agriculture and the College of Letters and Science, will explore the use of the genome editing technique called CRISPR for enhancing the algae's ability to produce the oils desired for biofuel production. (Source: Montana State University, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: Montana State Univ., Prof. Brent Peyton, Director, MSU Thermal Biology Institute, Prof. Robin Gerlach, Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, www.montana.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Oil,  Algae Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  

Plant Based Products Council
Date: 2019-02-04
The newly formed Plant Based Products Council (PBPC), a group of organizations working to promote the adoption and use of products derived from renewable biomass, has reported its official launch. The industry organization will seek plant-based solutions and bring together government, nonprofit, and corporate entities to address environmental challenges while driving economic opportunity.

The new council's membership includes businesses of varying sizes from across the United States that produce, distribute, or sell products or packaging from renewable biomass inputs as well as organizations that made related public sustainability commitments.

Members include Tate & Lyle, Georgia-Pacific, Archer Daniels Midland, and Cargill, Ingredion, WestRock-Multi Packaging Solutions, Stone Straw, Loliware, Visolis Biotechnology, Newtrient, Future iQ, Emerald Brands, Hemp Road Trip, Hemp Industries Association, and Tree Free Hemp.

The PBPC advisory board includes GreenBlue, Californians Against Waste, International Conservation Caucus Foundation, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Professor Ramani Narayan, of Michigan State University's Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science.

According to the council's website, plant-based products are derived from sustainable biomass found on six continents. Feedstocks include agricultural residues, algae, bamboo, cassava, dent corn, palm leaf, rice husk, soybeans, sugar beet, sugarcane and wood. (Source: PBPC, Feb., 2019) Contact: PBPC, www.pbpc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Bioplastic,  

Solarvest Bioenergy
Date: 2019-01-24
Vancouver-based algae technology specialist Solarvest Bioenergy Inc. is reporting closure of its second tranche of its previously announced financing. The offering raised gross proceeds from both tranches totaling $1,095,500 by way of the issuance of 5,477,500 units.

The proceeds will be used for the production of inventory, sales and marketing, equipment purchases, patenting costs and general working capital. (Source: Solarvest Bioenergy Inc., PR, 22 Jan., 2019) Contact: Solarvest Bioenergy Inc., Gerri Greenham, CEO, (416) 420 0947, ggreenham@solarvest.ca, www.solarvest.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solarvest Bioenergy,  Algae Biofuel,  Biofuel ,  

PKN ORLEN
Date: 2018-12-21
In Polnad, PKN ORLEN reports it is preparing preparing a new renewable energy directive (RED II) focused on second-generation biofuels made from algae, straw and other waste materials and, to that end, will increase its biofuel related R&D activities, construct biofuel production facilities and other support infrastructure.

According to a statement, PKN ORLEN will use its existing refinery units in Płock and Litvínov to take the co-hydrotreatment process to an industrial scale. The process consists of co-feeding vegetable oils or used fats with petroleum distillates into refinery units. The output diesel oil contains a bio-component -- hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

The decision to take the co-hydrotreatment process to an industrial scale was prompted by the successful completion of a test run carried out in September 2018 under the CO-BIO project, partly financed with a grant under the Inno-Chem programme. (Source: PKN ORLEN, Petrol Plaza, Dec., 2018) Contact: PKN ORLEN, Armen Artwich, Member of the Management Board, www.orlen.pl

More Low-Carbon Energy News PKN ORLEN,  Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  

USC Wrigley Institute
Date: 2018-11-30
In Southern California, researchers at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental are working on a project to convert open-ocean kelp into a biofuel that could someday replace gasoline.

Kelp, a species of macroalgae, is turned into a biofuel through a process called hydrothermal liquefaction. This involves drying the kelp, then processing the biomass in an extremely hot, pressurized and wet environment for long periods of time to allow the breakdown of the solid chemical structure to produce a biocrude which can be further distilled or processed into a fuel that can be used just like any petroleum-based fuel.

Researchers at Wrigley and partners at Marine BioEnergy Inc. have come up with an innovative open ocean "kelp elevator" to farm the massive amounts of kelp necessary for a commercialized fuel source. The current "kelp elevator" prototype models use PVC pipes in the ocean to grow and cycle kelp from the surface where the light is to the deep water where the nutrients are.

Under optimal conditions, giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, which is used to generate a biofuel, can grow up to three feet per day without fresh water, fertilizer, pesticides or fertile land. These attributes make kelp a viable potential substitute for traditional fuels, as it can be sustainably farmed, harvested and converted into biofuel. (Source: USC Wrigley Institute, Daily Trojan, 29 Nov., 2018) Contact: USC Wrigley Institute, Diane Kim, Associate Director , (310) 510-0811, www.usc.edu/wrigley; Marine BioEnergy Inc., www.marinebiomass.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Kelp,  

Algae Biofuels
Date: 2018-11-19
Coherent Market Insights reports the availability of its global Algae Biofuels Market 2018-2026 research report covering the major players and market factors key to the growth of the global Algae Biofuels Market.

The report covers Algae Biofuels market share, growth, trends,forecasts and key statistics for the period 2018-2026. The report also examines the Algae Biofuels market based on national and regional factors as well as on application, technique and end-user. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight into 2018-2026 global Algae Biofuels Market players, drivers, challenges and trends.

Access a sample PDF file of the Algae Biofuels report HERE.

Download PDF brochure of Algae Biofuels Market report HERE. (Source: Coherent Market Insights, Chemicals News, 17 Nov., 2018) Contact: Coherent Market Insights, (206) 701-6702 - Seattle Office, +44-020 8133 4027 - UK Office, sales@coherentmarketinsights.com, www.coherentmarketinsights.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biofuels,  

Arizona State University
Date: 2018-11-09
The U.S. DOE has announced the awarding of a total of $80 million tp 36 early-stage bioenergy projects aimed at reducing the cost of algae-based, drop-in fuels to $3 per gallon by 2022, Of the $80 million total, two Arizona State University (ASU) research teams received a total grant of nearly $4.5 million.

The two ASU teams are headed by Wim Vermaas, Foundation Professor in the School of Life Sciences and a member of the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis, and Bruce Rittmann, director of Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology.

Both ASU projects are developing innovative approaches for improving the efficiency of microalgae to capture waste CO2 and convert it into biodiesel transportation fuels and other valuable products.

Rittmann will explore ways to make CO2 delivery to algae more efficient. Traditional methods involve sparging (bubbling) CO2 within the liquid used to grow the algae, which releases about 60-80 pct of the CO2 back into the atmosphere. This wasteful process defeats a major goal of using microalgae to remove this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere and decreases cost efficiency.

Rittmann's team developed a membrane carbonation process that uses inexpensive plastic fibers to deliver pure CO2 with nearly 100 pct efficiency directly to the microalgae. The team estimates that the technology will capture fourfold more CO2 than traditional sparging methods.

The team is partnering with the Salt River Project to develop methods for harvesting CO2 from power plant emissions. They are also partnering with the city of Mesa to remove CO2 from the biogas generated from anaerobic digesters at their wastewater treatment facilities. Rittmann's team will investigate whether the fibers can be used with microalgae to remove CO2 from the biogas, which would leave nearly pure methane which could be distributed through existing natural gas pipelines.

Vermaas and his team were awarded $2.5 million to pursue an innovative multi-pronged approach toward improved CO2 utilization. One approach is to increase the solubility of carbon dioxide in growth medium by developing a nanobubble gas delivery system.. A second approach is to utilize amines in the medium, which greatly enhance the solubility of CO2, allowing the gas to be taken up by photosynthetic microbes for producing biofuel. The researchers anticipate at least a 50 pct increase in the efficiency of CO2 use with advanced biofuel production under industrially relevant conditions. (Source: ASU, PR, Nov., 2018) Contact: ASU, Prof. Bruce Rittmann, Dir. Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, (480) 727-8322, www.biodesign.asu.edu/environmental-biotechnology; Willem Vermaas, ASU School of Life Sciences, 480-965-6250, wim@asu.edu, www.sols.asu.edu/willem-vermaas

More Low-Carbon Energy News Micro Algae,  Biodiesel,  Drop-In Fuel,  CO2,  Algae,  Biofuel,  Carbon Dioxide,  

euglena
Date: 2018-11-05
Further to our May 22md coverage, Tokyo-headquartered Japanese biotechnology company euglena reports it is set to begin mass production of algae and waste oil based jet biofuel and biodiesel with the completion of its refinery plant in Yokohama.

The Yokohama facility has a production capacity of 125 kiloliters of jet biofuel and ASTM certified biodiesel per year, increasing to 250,000 kiloliters per year by 2025.

The company has partnered with aviation group ANA Holdings with the aim of fueling their commercial international flights departing from Japan by 2020. Euglena is also planning to offer bio jet fuel to other companies taking off from Japan. ANA will support euglena to develop the airport infrastructure to supply aircraft. (Source: euglena, Nikkei, 3 Nov., 2018) Contact: euglena, Mitsuru Izumo, CEO, www.euglena.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biofuel,  euglena,  Jet Biofuel,  Biofuel,  

Mazda
Date: 2018-11-02
Japanese automaker Mazda reports it is backing two research projects in Japan to promote the widespread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth.

Mazda hopes an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration will be advantageous to its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 development program which considers renewable liquid fuels essential to drastic CO2 reduction.

Mazda is lending technical support to research into genome editing by Hiroshima University and to the study of plant physiology by the Tokyo Institute of Technology. (Source: Mazda, Engine Technology, 31 Oct., 2918) Contact: Mazda, www.mazda.com/en/inquiry

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mazda,  Algae Biofuel,  

Colorado State University,NREL
Date: 2018-10-31
Following up on our October 4, 2017 coverage, a team of five Colorado State University (CSU) and three National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) researchers are reporting a $2.1 million, 3-year effort to increase algae yield for biofuel production by improving carbon dioxide utilization. For the research, New Belgium Brewing will provide CO2 from their fermentation processes, and Qualitas Health, a producer of omega-3 nutraceuticals from algae, will help test the improved CO2 delivery technology. The aim is to improve delivery of CO2 to algae and enhance algae's consumption of the CO2.

The project is being funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy in a collaborative effort to improve the cost-competitiveness and environmental sustainability of microalgae-based fuels and products. (Source: CSU, NREL, Various Media, Oct., 2018) Contact: Colorado State University, Prof. Ken Reardon, kenneth.reardon@colostate.edu, www.colostate.edu; US DOE BETO, energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Colorado State University,  NREL,  Algae,  CO2,  Biofuel,  

University of Michigan
Date: 2018-10-15
Researchers from the University of Michigan are reporting receipt of $2 million in funding from the US DOE to create renewable diesel from algae. The grant will support the development of a method of collecting algae and turning algae into a low carbon, clean diesel fuel.

When the desired type of algae is identified, the researchers will study how best to convert the algae into a highly efficient diesel. (Source: University of Michigan, Siver Telegram, Informator News, 13 Oct., 2018) Contact: University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Biology Prof. Bradley Cardinale, (734) 764-9689, bradcard@umich.edu, http://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/brad_cardinale, www.umich.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Michigan,  Biodiesel Algae,  

University of Michigan
Date: 2018-10-08
In Ann Arbor, University of Michigan researchers report they will partner with colleagues at Penn State University to evaluate how best to grow algae, transform it into a diesel fuel and maximize its performance during the combustion process. The effort is being funded with a $2 million grant from the US DOE.

According to University of Michigan Biology professor Bradley Cardinale, researchers are "one of the first teams in the world to go all the way from designing sustainable biofuel feedstocks in outdoor ponds, to refining fuel." Algae-based biofuels are seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel fuels, which produce high levels of greenhouse gases when they burn. (Source: Univ. of Michigan, AP, witf, 7 Oct., 2018) Contact: University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Biology Prof. Bradley Cardinale, (734) 764-9689, bradcard@umich.edu, http://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/brad_cardinale

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Michigan,  Algae Biofuels,  Algae,  

Center for Cientific Research of Yucatan
Date: 2018-09-05
Mexican researchers from the Center for Cientific Research of Yucatan (CICY) are reporting the development of a method to produce biogas (methane) from sargasso seaweed, a brown macroalgae, that commonly and increasingly washes up on the beaches of Yucatan and the Mexican Caribbean.

Researchers from the CICY Renewable Energy Unit collected sargassum, removed the sand and salt, dehydrated it to put it in contact with the fungus Trametes hirsuta, a local microorganism isolated from rotting wood and capable of degrading lignin in these algae.

During the process the fungus breaks down the walls of structures of the macroalgae to leave cellulose and unicellulose which will later pass to a reactor, in which, with the help of climatic conditions and an inoculum (bacterial consortium) will convert the sargasso into methane gas. (Source: CICY, Notimex, September 3, 2018) Contact: Center for Cientific Research of Yucatan, Raul Tapia Tussel, Researcher, Dr. Manuel Martinez Estevez, Director, +999 942 83 30, Ext.353, docencia@cicy.mx, www.cicy.mx

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Algae,  Methane,  

Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: 2018-07-30
At New Mexico's Los Alamos National Laboratory's New Mexico Consortium lab, molecular biologist Amanda Barry and a team are reportedly working to determine whether one particular strain of algae can be produced at low cost and in short periods of time so that it could economically compete with fossil fuels.

The New Mexico Consortium's lab is a non-profit corporation formed by three New Mexico universities to facilitate research and increase cooperation between academia, industry and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the future, LANL will look for an industrial partner already growing algae outdoors.

Approximately 30 people at LANL are engaged in all sorts of biofuel research, which has been going on since 2009, according to Babetta Marrone, senior scientist and the lab's biofuels program manager. (Source: LLNL, Santa Fe New Mexican, 29 July, 2018) Contact: Los Alamos National Laboratory, (505) 667-5061, www.lanl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Los Alamos National Laboratory,  LANL,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

Osaka City University
Date: 2018-07-16
In Japan, researchers at Osaka City University are reporting development of a new biofuel cell system with the functions of a solar cell and the ability of CO2 conversion. Utilizing the photosynthesis function of spirulina, a biomass of dark-green unicellular microalgae, the solar-light driven biofuel cell generates electricity by consuming CO2 in water as source material and produces formic acid as a byproduct while generating electricity.

The researchers focused on the effective oxygen-evolution photosynthetic function activity spirulina shows in water. Using a device containing CO2-saturated buffer solution with two electrodes coupled with each other therein, an electrode on which a photosynthetic membrane derived from spirulina is immobilized and another electrode on which formic-acid dehydrogenase is immobilized, they found a certain amount of electric current (measuring 55 microamperes) flowing through the circuit when visible-light is applied to the photosynthetic-membrane immobilized electrode. The researchers also found that formic acid was produced above the formic-acid-dehydrogenase immobilized electrode by reduction of CO2. They also confirmed the evolution of oxygen and reduction of hydrogen carbonate ions derived from CO2.

Thus, this biofuel cell introduced a new technology to create bioenergy that not only consumes CO2 but also produces formic acid which has potential potential as a hydrogen-energy storage medium, a synthetic material for organic chemicals, and a solvent for inorganic-organic chemical compounds. (Source: Osaka City University, Japan for Sustainability, 15 July, 2018) Contact: Osaka City University, Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Prof. Yutaka Amao, www.researchgate.net/profile/Yutaka_Amao, www.osaka-cu.ac.jp/en, www.osaka-cu.ac.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Microalgae,  Biofuel,  CO2,  

Zion Market Research
Date: 2018-07-13
The recently released Algae Biofuel Market Report from Zion Market Research has found that the algae biofuel market was valued at approximately $4.7 billion in 2017 and is expected to generate revenue of around $9.88 billion by the end of 2024. The report attributes algae biofuel market growth to an increasing worldwide demand foir fuel, growth in the transportation industry, fossil fuel market volatility and an emphasis on reducing fuel emissions.

The report notes that the US and Canada dominated the market in 2017 with more than 30 pct of the global algae biofuel market. The study projects the Asia Pacific region will experience major growth in the market during the forecast period due to technological advancements and materials availability.

The report referenced policies such as the European Commission's Renewable Energy Directive, which would require that at least 10 pct of transportation fuels come from renewable sources by 2020. (Source: Zion Market Research , July, 2018) Contact: Zion Market Research, +49-322 210 92714, USA/Canada (855) 465-4651, sales@zionmarketresearch.com, www.zionmarketresearch.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Zion Market Research,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

University of Michigan
Date: 2018-07-03
Researchers from the University of Michigan have confirmed that the key to improving the performance of algal biofuel systems is through biodiversity. In the first large-scale experiment to study the connection between biodiversity and algal biofuel stability, the researchers grew varying combinations of freshwater algal species in 80 artificial ponds and found that a diverse mix of algal species performed better than any single species. They also found that diversity does not necessarily result in more biomass or algal mass, and that monoculture produced larger biomass results in most cases.

After a 10-week study, the researchers compared the ability of the algae and the algal combinations to multitask and found that monoculture algae were able to perform very well in one or two tasks. However, the combined algae species were better at a range of tasks.

"Our findings suggest there is a fundamental trade-off when growing algal biofuel. You can grow single-species crops that produce large amounts of biomass but are unstable and produce less biocrude. Or, if you are willing to give up some yield, you can use mixtures of species to produce a biofuel system that is more stable through time, more resistant to pest species, and which yields more biocrude oil," according to the report. (Source: Univ. of Michigan, GinnersNow, 28 June, 2018) Contact: University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, Casey Godwin, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, (734) 764-6453, seas-info@umich.edu, seas.umich.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Michigan,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

University of Michigan
Date: 2018-06-18
A diverse mix of species improves the stability and fuel-oil yield of algal biofuel systems, as well as their resistance to invasion by outsiders, according to the findings of a National Science Foundation funded outdoor study by University of Michigan researchers.

For the study, scientists grew various combinations of freshwater algal species in 80 artificial ponds in the first large-scale, controlled experiment to test the widely held idea that biodiversity can improve the performance of algal biofuel systems in the field. Overall, the researchers found that diverse mixes of algal species (polycultures) performed more key functions at higher levels than any single species -- they were better at multitasking. The researchers also found that polycultures did not produce more algal mass (biomass) than the most productive single species, or monoculture.

"The results are key for the design of sustainable biofuel systems because they show that while a monoculture may be the optimal choice for maximizing short-term algae production, polycultures offer a more stable crop over longer periods of time," said study lead author Casey Godwin, a postdoctoral research fellow at U-M's School for Environment and Sustainability.

Algae-derived biocrude oil is being studied as a potential renewable-energy alternative to fossil fuels. Because they grow quickly and can be converted to bio-oil, algae have the potential to generate more fuel from less surface area than crops like corn. But the technical challenges involved in growing vast amounts of these microscopic aquatic plants in large outdoor culture ponds have slowed progress toward commercial-scale cultivation.

In the study, research team found that while monocultures tended to be good at one or two jobs at a time, polycultures performed more of the jobs at higher levels than any of the monocultures. But at the same time, polycultures produced less biomass than the best-performing monoculture.

"Our findings suggest there is a fundamental tradeoff when growing algal biofuel. You can grow single-species crops that produce large amounts of biomass but are unstable and produce less biocrude. Or, if you are willing to give up some yield, you can use mixtures of species to produce a biofuel system that is more stable through time, more resistant to pest species, and which yields more biocrude oil," according to the researchers. The team's findings are scheduled for publication June 18 in the journal Global Change Biology-Bioenergy. (Source: University of Michigan, Public Release, 18 June, 2018) Contact: University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, Casey Godwin, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, (734) 764-6453, seas-info@umich.edu, seas.umich.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Michigan,  Algae,  Algal Biofuel,  

Date: 2018-05-07
In Washington, the US Department of Energy has announced the availability of up to $78 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development.

Qualifying projects include those that develop highly efficient conversion processes for improving the affordability of fuels and products from biomass and waste streams. Funding is also being offered for research and development related to the production of affordable and sustainable non-food dedicated energy crops -- including algae, energy crops and various waste streams that can be efficiently and effectively converted into affordable biofuels, biopower and bioproducts. (Source: US DOE, Energy Live, May, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Feedstock,  Biofuel R&D,  

Date: 2018-04-30

The just released United States Algae Oil Market Report 2017 from HTF Market Reports provides a complete assessment of the market and contains future trend, current growth factors, historical data, and statistically supported and industry validated market data.

The study is segmented by products type, application/end-users and provides estimates for United States Algae Oil Forecast till 2023, as well as a forward looking perspective on the various factors driving or restraining market growth. The study also provides a 5-year market forecast and a pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics.

The research covers the current and future market size of the United States Algae Oil market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also identifies industry leaders, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments. Key companies include: Cellana, Algae Floating Systems, TerraVia Holdings, Henry Lamotte OILS, Algaecytes, Goerlich Pharma, Polaris, Archer Daniels Midland Company & Renewable Algal Energy (RAE).

Request Sample of United States Algae Oil Market Report 2017 and other details HERE (Source: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited, April, 2018) Contact: HTF Market Intelligence, Craig Francis, PR, Marketing, (206) 317 1218, sales@htfmarketreport.com, info@htfmarketreport.com, www.htfmarketreport.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Oil,  Biofuel,  

Algae Biomass Organization
Date: 2018-03-26
In Washington, the algae industry trade association Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is lauding the introduction of the Algae Agriculture Act of 2018, a bill that would give algae cultivators and harvesters many of the same advantages as other traditional crops in United States agricultural policy.

The bill is expected to support the development of algae as a crop for biofuel production, food supplements and other uses, as well as a tool for the entire agriculture industry that can use algae-based technologies and products to improve operations.

The Algae Agriculture Act of 2018 establishes a number of provisions to promote the expansion of algae farming including: new support for algae R&D in agriculture; support for carbon utilization projects in rural communities and Crop disaster assistance for algae cultivation.

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. (Source: ABO, GlobeNewswire, 23 Mar., 2018) Contact: ABO, Matt Carr, Exec. Dir., Barb Scheevel, Admin., (877) 531-5512, bscheevel@algaebiomass.org, www.algaebiomass.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biomass Organization,  Algae ,  

Synthetic Genomics ,ExxonMobil
Date: 2018-03-09
Following up on our June 21, 2017 coverage, Houston-headquartered oil giant ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics Inc. are reporting an outdoor field study that will grow naturally occurring algae in several contained ponds in California. The research will enable the partners to better to understand fundamental engineering parameters including viscosity and flow, which cannot easily be replicated in a lab. The joint research program could lead to the technical ability to produce 10,000 bpd of algae biofuel by 2025.

In 2017, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics announced breakthrough research published in Nature Biotechnology that resulted in a modified algae strain that more than doubled oil content without significantly inhibiting growth, a key challenge along the path to commercial scalability. (Source: ExxonMobil, PR, 6 Mar., 2018) Contact: Synthetic Genomics, Oliver Fetzer, CEO, www.syntheticgenomics.com; ExxonMobil, Vijay Swarup, VP, R&D, (972) 444-1107, www.exxonmobil.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algal Fuels,  Biofuel,  ExxonMobil,  Synthetic Genomics ,  

ExxonMobil, Synthetic Genomics
Date: 2018-03-07
ExxonMobil and La Jolla,California-based Synthetic Genomics report they are collaborating to produce up to 10,000 bpd of algae biofuel every day by 2025. The pair have been collaborating to create oil from algae since 2009.

"The progress we are making in the lab toward engineering highly efficient algae strains that convert sunlight and CO2 into renewable high energy density biofuel is exciting and warrants continued research about how our technology will scale. Our (California) outdoor algal facility creates a perfect stepping stone from our labs to the greenhouse and to the outdoors to lay the foundation for a large scale commercial deployment of our technology in the future," Synthetic Genomics CEO Oliver Fetzer notes. (Source: ExxonMobil, Synthetic Genomics, innovators, 6 Mar., 2018) Contact: ExxonMobil, http://corporate.exxonmobil.com; Synthetic Genomica, Oliver Fetzer, CEO, (858) 754-2900, www.syntheticgenomics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ExxonMobil,  Synthetic Genomics ,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  

General Automation Lab Technologies,Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Date: 2018-02-02
The US DOE reports it has awarded Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) a three-year, $1.5 million grant to improve the growth and efficiency of biofuel-producing algae through the alteration of their microbiomes. LLNL will collaborate with San Francisco-based startup General Automation Lab Technologies (GALT) whose novel technology will help the researchers to better understand how algae grow and function in different microbial conditions. This is essential to being able to increase algal production for alternative fuels.

The project is being funded by Funded by the DOE Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). BETO works with industry, academia and national laboratory partners on a balanced portfolio of research in algal biofuels technologies. (Source: US DOE, LLNL. Feb., 2018) Contact: LLNL, Xavier Mayali, (925) 423-3892, mayali1@llnl.gov; Ty Samo, (925) 423-5837, samo1@llnl.gov, www.llnl.gov; BETO, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office; US DOE EERE, http://energy.gov/eere; General Automation Lab Technologies, (917) 332-7230, www.galt-inc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE EERE,  DOE BETO,  General Automation Lab Technologies,  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,  Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  Biofuel ,  

BDI-BioEnergy
Date: 2018-01-31
Grambach, Austria-headquartered plant engineering specialist BDI-BioEnergy International AG reports its new subsidiary, BDI-BioLife GmbH has commenced construction of an industrial plant that will use a photobioreactor system to produce algae biomass in the Hartberg Ecopark, Styria, Austria.

The algae project is the company's first move into the food, pharma, and cosmetics industries. BDI-BioEnergy is focused on the production of biodiesel from a range of raw materials, including animal fats, cooking oil, and vegetable oil, using its Multi-Feedstock' process. (Source: BDI-BioEnergy, Labiotech, 30 Jan., 2018) Contact: BDI-BioEnergy International, +43 316 400 9100, www.bdi-bioenergy.com

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