Government Resources
DOE Algae Roadmap Feedback
The Algal Biomass Organization has posted a copy of the comments it provided to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap. The ABO encouraged DOE to do three things: provide a clear vision for its plans for algae-based fuels and energy; promote public-private partnerships to accelerate commercialization; and give algae parity with other feedstocks with regard to tax incentives, regulatory and other federal policies.
Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop Proceedings
Proceedings from the Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap and Workshop, which took place December 9-10, 2008 at the University of Maryland, have been made available to the public.
U.S. Department of Energy - Financial Assistance Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing this RFI to solicit feedback on the Draft “National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap” Document. This Draft Roadmap was prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. Feedback will be incorporated into the finalized draft report for public release. The Algal Roadmap will assist in the development of algal biofuels research within the Office of the Biomass Program at DOE. DOE would like to target those members of the community and relevant stakeholders that did not participate in the DOE Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop in December; however, this does not preclude individuals who attended the workshop from providing input.
Research Collaboration Opportunity
The Department of Energy, Office of the Biomass Programs (OBP) intends to issue two Recovery Act Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to address research and development efforts related to intermediate ethanol blends and advanced biofuels, specifically including $50 million for a consortium to accelerate the demonstration of algal biofuels through a competitive solicitation. DOE expects to publish both FOAs in the summer of 2009.
The advanced notice is for the purpose of providing potential applicants the opportunity to develop partnerships and begin the process of gathering data to prepare their applications. The ABO is providing a site where potential partners can post the fact that they are seeking collaborators. ABO provides this site as a service to the algal community but does not broker the formation of partnerships.
Please view the full notice for further detail.
TO PARTICIPATE - Please send an e-mail with your name, affiliation, type of collaboration sought and contact information to info@algalbiomass.org to be listed below.
Looking for Collaborations
- ACENT Laboratories LLC
Seeks to join a consortium proposing to the DOE FOA DE-FOA-0000123 "Development of Algal / Advanced Biofuels Consortia", or other collaborations. ACENT's primary interest is in Algae Harvest and Dewatering, but also has expertise that could be useful in several other areas of algae based biofuels production. ACENT has recently completed a Phase I DOE SBIR entitled "A Novel Low Cost, High Efficiency, Algal Biomass Harvest and Dewatering Technology for Biodiesel Production", and are awaiting Phase II funding. ACENT Laboratories was founded in 2007 to serve the Aerospace and Clean Energy Technology industries. Staffed by a team of leading aerospace, defense and environmental scientists and engineers from industry, government and academia, ACENT is focused on high quality engineering services and applied technology/product development in Aerospace, Clean Energy, and Defense. Founded by seasoned engineers with extensive experience in transforming ideas into working hardware, ACENT has been successful in leveraging hard-won lessons from many NASA and DoD programs to new efforts. ACENT also serves as a platform for incubation and development/transition of technologies resident in universities and government research centers. Headquartered on Long Island NY, ACENT also has locations in Hampton, VA and Gainesville, FL. Contact: Randy Voland or call (757) 218-5561.
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Deepak AswaniFounder, Biodynamic Systems, which is in the R&D stage for control systems to cultivate heterogeneous algae cultures in open, closed, and hybrid configurations, is seeking industrial partners to demonstrate profitable biofuel and coproducts from algae. Contact: deepak.aswani@yahoo.com
- TIAX LLC
An independent technology development firm with extensive experience in life cycle analysis, is seeking partners interested in developing algal-biofuels specific methodologies for characterizing well-to-wheels emissions. TIAX follows ISO 14040 standards and has developed life cycle analyses for a variety of major applications, including the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Canadian oil sands, and the California State Alternative Fuels Plan (AB 1007). An example of our work can be found HERE. Contact: Karen Law or call (408) 517-1580
Algae in the News
Algal Biomass Organization Questions Accuracy of University of Virginia Algae Life Cycle Study
ABO believes that reliance on obsolete data and faulty assumptions undermines all conclusions
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 25, 2010) - The Algal Biomass Organization, today challenged the conclusions of a published report in Environmental Science and Technology claiming that “conventional crops have lower environmental impacts than algae in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water.” The report was based upon obsolete data and grossly outdated business models, and overlooked tremendous improvements in technology and processes across the production cycle. ABO strongly believes that these obsolete data and faulty assumptions seriously undermine the credibility of the study’s conclusions. View Full Story
Reps. Harry Teague (D-N.M.), Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) Introduce Bill to Boost Algae Biofuels
Congressional efforts are continuing to ensure that algae-based biofuels qualify for federal tax credits. Several companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp., believe algae might one day become a major feedstock for renewable fuels.
Executive Director Mary Rosenthal Testifies Before Congress on Benefits of Algae-Based Fuels
On behalf of its more than 170 members, the ABO's Executive Director Mary Rosenthal testified before Congress today on potential of algae-based fuels to reduce carbon emissions, create jobs and increase U.S. energy independence. She also commented on steps legislators can take to ensure algae-based fuels receive benefits and financial incentives similar to those afforded to other biofuel feedstocks. More
Quick Link to ABO Testimony