Industry News
February 2010
European Algae Biomass Association
Major Algae Scientists from the European Algae Biomass Association Underline the Important Potential of Algae Biofuels in Terms of GHGs Reduction
Forence - The Scientific Committee of the European Algae Biomass Association discussed and confirmed once again the positive potential of algae-based biofuels in terms of reduction of Green House Gases (GHGs): main progress in this regard is linked to prior and ongoing technology developments in algae biomass production.
December 2009
The Hill
New House Bill Would Boost Algae Biofuels
Washington, DC - 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.
United States Department of Energy
President Obama Sets a Target for Cutting U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The White House announced on November 25 that President Obama is offering a U.S. target for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the range of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. The proposed target agrees with the limit set by climate legislation that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, but the U.S. Senate is currently considering a bill that cuts GHG emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. The White House noted that the final U.S. emissions target will ultimately fall in line with the climate legislation, once that legislation passes both houses of Congress and is approved by the President. In light of the President's goal for an 83% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, the pending legislation also includes a reduction in GHG emissions to 30% below 2005 levels by 2025 and to 42% below 2005 levels by 2030.
November 2009
Feedstock and Biodiesel Characteristics Report
Ames, IA - A new report was released today by Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REG) based on research to procure, refine, esterify, transesterify and filter unique feedstocks from around the world. Thirty six samples were included in the study including novel feedstock such as two varieties of algae, hemp, jatropha, coffee, Moringa Oleifera, castor and many more. The characteristics of the feedstock and the finished biodiesel are both included along with the fatty acid profiles and detailed instructions for the entire production protocol.
October 2009
R. James Woolsey, TJ Glauthier & Donald Kennedy Join Solazyme's Strategic Advisory Board
South San Francisco, Calif. – Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company using algal biotechnology, brings three national leaders on energy, national security, and science and technology to form the Solazyme Strategic Advisory Board. R. James Woolsey will chair the board, and will be joined by TJ Glauthier and Dr. Donald Kennedy. Solazyme's Strategic Advisory Board will advise and guide the company on public policy and strategic business decisions.
Biofuels Digest
WSJ Names Algae One of “5 Technologies That Could Change Everything”
In New York, the Wall Street Journal identified algae-based biofuels as one of “Five Technologies That Could Change Everything” that will be the major breakthroughs that “could radically change the world energy picture.” The article identified the five game-changing technologies as: Space-based solar power, advanced car batteries, utility storage, carbon capture and storage, and next-geneeration biofuels.
Biofuels Digest
Algae Repositions as Biofuels’ “Humble but Lovable” Feedstock: Industry Gathers in Positive, but Low-Key Annual Summit
The biotech elevator pitch usually adheres to a ‘rule of 5'. The offer is invariably a product platform that “is going to transform everything we do in our civilization.” Scientists ask for 5 more years of research; CEOs ask for $5 million in Series A funding; salesmen ask for ‘just 5 minutes of your time’.
July 2009
The New York Times
Exxon to Invest Millions to Make Fuel From Algae
The oil giant Exxon Mobil, whose chief executive once mocked alternative energy by referring to ethanol as “moonshine,” is about to venture into biofuels. On Tuesday, Exxon plans to announce an investment of $600 million in producing liquid transportation fuels from algae — organisms in water that range from pond scum to seaweed. The biofuel effort involves a partnership with Synthetic Genomics, a biotechnology company founded by the genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter.
May 2009
The New York Times
Plant-derived Fuels Could be Certified for Flights Within a Year
Jet fuels derived from algae, camelina and jatropha -- plants that pack an energy punch, are not eaten as food and do not displace food crops -- could be approved and replacing petroleum fuels in commercial flights as early as next year, a Boeing executive said yesterday.
February 2009
December 9-10 2008, University of Maryland Conference Center
Department of Energy National Algal Biofuels Roadmap Workshop
Notes By: Keith Cooksey
The following highlights only a few notes from of the meeting, which involved many concurrent
”breakout” sessions, which did not allow for a more comprehensive report. (Statements here are quoted without attribution to individuals or sources).
The full version of the Road Map is available at:
GreenAir Communications
New US Administration Provides Timely and Valuable Funding for Next-Generation Biofuel Research and Development
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has welcomed an announcement by the new US administration that the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) are to release up to $25 million in funding for the research and development of biofuels. The funding is aimed at increasing the availability of alternative renewable fuels and bio-based products, and the US airline industry is hopeful that the development and commercialization of aviation jet biofuels will benefit from the initiative.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Algae Blooms at the Patent Office
Has algae finally arrived? Maybe, and if the rising number of patent applications for algae technologies is any indication, then the answer is a resounding “yes.” The growth in algae has been spurred by the potential for algae to provide an abundant and sustainable feedstock for fuels, biomaterials, feed, and other products.
Xconomy Boston
Virtual Initiative Cultivating Algae Industry Bloom in San Diego
One of the distinguishing characteristics about algae is that it grows fast, and it seems that may be true as well for the algae biomass industry in San Diego. After reporting last month about a push to establish a multimillion-dollar hub for algae-based biofuels research in San Diego, the author learned of a related effort with a broader focus that is known simply as “the regional algae initiative.”
BusinessWeek
Carbon Recyclers Get Short Shrift in Stimulus Bill
Pond scum could fuel fighter jets and go a long way toward cleaning up power plants, which is why the Pentagon, Silicon Valley, and some of the world's top research institutions are digging into it. One place algae's having a tough time making inroads, however, is in a multibillion-dollar section of the economic stimulus bill that could mean the difference between nascent carbon recycling technology crossing over "death valley" into commercial viability—or facing a major battle with coal companies' underground carbon storage schemes for years to come.
January 2009
CNET News
Algae Front-Runner GreenFuel Slashes Staff
Algae biofuel outfit GreenFuel Technologies has laid off 19 people, or about half of its staff, another sign of the difficulty that fledgling alternative fuels face. GreenFuel has developed a method for growing and harvesting algae in a greenhouse.
El Paso Times
Valcent Restructures, Lays Off 19: More Layoffs Could Follow
EL PASO, TX -- Valcent Products Inc., which is developing biofuel from algae and a vertical farming system at its Upper Valley test facility, has laid off 19 people as part of cost-cutting and restructuring, company officials said.
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines Flight Demonstrates Use of Sustainable Biofuels as Energy Source for Jet Travel
HOUSTON, TX -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today is demonstrating the use of sustainable biofuel to power a commercial aircraft for the first time ever in North America. The demonstration flight -- which is being conducted in partnership with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM International, and Honeywell's UOP -- marks the first sustainable biofuel demonstration flight by a commercial carrier using a two-engine aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines.
2008 Industry News Archive
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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