Comments on: 15 Algae Startups Bringing Pond Scum to Fuel Tanks

By: cwarren

cwarren — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:41:03 +0000

Willie,

I am starting out myself. I need to transfer the ideas from my mind to the world. Like you I need to be pointed in the right direction. When I find something I’ll let you know. Theoretically you can build your own bioreactor in your own garage.

Curtis

By: Bill Rucks

Bill Rucks — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:18:29 +0000

Greetings all,
After been in this business for a while it is always refreshing seeing the development of these company’s….. and also the responses from Joe Blow Public. Lots of questions, on How much per gallon/liter how much can they supply!!!My 2 bobs worth is – no they are no going to be as cheap as Mineral Fuel and not for along time. and the main and very obvious reason – is that they are making fuel from its basic compounds – not it distribution and processing cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when you are in this business you become painfully aware how much fuel is really worth not the subsidized pump price. THEY REPLACING WHAT THE WORLD HAS TAKEN MILLIONS OF YEARS TO DO !!!!!it is renewable fuel – NOTE RENEWABLE – I say great work to all on the list and all who are busy working there way onto the list. The majority of the fuel company’s think you are a joke – but the kicker is were will we be in 50 years with out it – Bill

By: dave

dave — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:58:26 +0000

Stop, everyone do a quick back of the envelope calculation. The max growth densities for algae are on the order of 2gm / gallon of water. Algae contains maybe 30% oil, realistically.

A tank of water say, 250,000 gallons could produce MAYBE, 30 bucks worth of oil a day, and you’d have to change the water after a few growth cycles too. Not to mention having to process 250,000 gallons of water each cycle. Think you can do that and still make a buck!!?? Algae will be looked upon the same way hydrogen is, it’s a “carrier” of energy, not a source. Algae CAN be a means of turning low value alternative energy into fuel for transport, but it is not what people are trying to sell it as right now. A 5th grader could figure this out!

By: jason3232

jason3232 — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:55:02 +0000

Good job Katie. Down with fuel! I’m a big fan of alternative energy. Green biodiesel is one of the solutions to the future. I’m trying to get off the “gas fix” myself. Hard, but getting there slowly.

Jason,
http://nonchexsystemsbanks.org

By: JR

JR — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:07:44 +0000

Sapphire Energy is a huge oversight by this article. In 2010, project was awarded more than $100 million in federal grant money from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act through the U.S. Department of Energy and a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Bio-refinery Assistance Program.

Bill Gates invested, privately held company.

http://www.sapphireenergy.com/

By: Green Algae as Fuel

Green Algae as Fuel — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:20:22 +0000

[...] Algae: 'The ultimate in renewable energy' - CNN.com The Greenest Green Fuel | Popular Science 15 Algae Startups Bringing Pond Scum to Fuel Tanks Bill Gates invests in algae fuel | Green Tech - CNET News Super-Green, Algae-Derived Jet Fuel [...]

By: Obama orders halt to deep-water drilling in the Gulf - Page 9 - Mustang Forums at StangNet

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:28:17 +0000

[...] at their farm on April 1, and big oil Chevron and Shell have made some early bets as well. 15 Algae Startups Bringing Pond Scum to Fuel Tanks It won't be easy but we will eventually learn how to live without [...]

By: Is Algae Based Biofuel a Great Green Investment Opportunity « Green World Investor

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:38:40 +0000

[...] Codexis and Petroalgae for investors wanting a piece of the algae based biofuel action.Here is an article from Earth2Tech which gives the most comprehensive list of Startups in this Green [...]

By: Craig Venter Is Now God & How That Affects Climate Change

Craig Venter Is Now God & How That Affects Climate Change — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:35:09 +0000

[...] While at one point Venter had a habit of saying he would overturn the oil industry, his startup needs the oil companies to help reach those sheer massive scaling needs. But clearly he’s gotten the oil partners to sign on, and with this breakthrough announcement today, the oil firms are probably pretty glad they gotten on board. Other companies that are trying to deliver algae fuel for transportation include Sapphire Energy, Solazyme, and Aurora Biofuels (here’s 15 Algae Startups Bringing Pond Scum to Fuel Tanks). [...]

By: Bruce Bearchum II

Bruce Bearchum II — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:03:17 +0000

I think this farming of algea is a great and "green" way to help in the use of alternate Fuel! We are Planning a water treatment plant right behind our nursery here at The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Sounds like a oppertunity for farming algea here through the native plant nursery, a different view of plant growth!