Article Rating
0 ratings - Sign-in to rate this article
Article Tools
Email This Story Share This Story Add to Bookmarks Printer Friendly Version 6 Comments
Article Tool Sponsor:

Learn More About Online Advertising with RenewableEnergyWorld.com

PetroSun: Algae Biofuels Reaches Final Stage

Published: February 2, 2007

Phoenix, Arizona [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] PetroSun, Inc.'s field testing of the cultivation of algae for biodiesel production has progressed to the final stage prior to the construction of a commercial cultivation facility.

"We view this as an opportunity to produce a renewable energy product that will assist in providing a healthier planet for future generations."

-- Gordon LeBlanc, Jr., PetroSun, CEO
This final stage will consist of producing adequate algae paste to test the output and economics of several biodiesel refinery manufacturers now under consideration by Algae Biofuels, a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroSun, which will own and operate the production and refinery facilities.

Algae BioFuels is considering sites in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Louisiana and Michigan for its initial commercial cultivation of algae feedstock in the U.S. In the foreign market, Australia and China are the leading candidates for production and refinery operations.

"Should the cultivation process prove to be successful outside of the U.S. Sunbelt, Algae BioFuels' model is to locate production and refinery sites near major cities and truck routes to reduce the cost of biodiesel in those areas," said cccc

The consumption of diesel fuel in the U.S. for on-highway use is 39 billion gallons per year and increasing over 3% annually. This represents 22% by sales and volume of the total U.S. transportation fuel market. The cost of diesel fuel has increased dramatically the past few years as a result of higher oil prices and refining costs due to the Ultra Low Sulfur diesel laws.

Algae-based biodiesel contains no sulfur, is non-toxic, highly biodegradable and is not subject to a commodity risk as is crude oil, corn and soybeans.
Additional Information
Previous Article
Next Article
Add Your Comment 6 Reader Comments
No image available
Comment
1 of 6
February 7, 2007
Before we jump on the algae bandwagon, I hope there will be a systems analysis of the process in terms of pollution. Ethanol, for instance, is a gross polluter at every stage - consumption, putting out more pollutants than gasoline (maybe not diesel), in fermentation, putting out almost a pound of carbon dioxide for every pound of ethanol, and God knows how much in production - especially when coal-fired boilers are used to provide the heat needed. Every process is somewhat polluting, and we need trade it off - and choose the ones that are least polluting. On the surface, algae looks very promising.
No image available
Comment
2 of 6
February 7, 2007
I am interested to know about joint venture possibilities in tropical sub-saharan Africa. We are very interested.
No image available
Comment
3 of 6
February 10, 2007
Eugene,

Are you talking about corn/sugar based ethanol or cellulosic ethanol? Cellulosic is made from cellulose - grass stems, waste wood, etc.
No image available
Comment
4 of 6
February 11, 2007
Here's an article addressing soft biomass production of ethanol and the CO2 issue.

http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=13269
No image available
Comment
5 of 6
February 12, 2007
I think algae will bring a new era in the field of power. i want to know which area of the world are suitable for algae production. Is there any harmful effect of algae. Does it has any effect on agricultural field ? Which type of industry whethere small scale or large scale industry would be the algae. If it is a suitable for small scale it is benifited for some country like india for unemployment problems. I hope alge became our friendly energy.
thank you.
anil das
No image available
Comment
6 of 6
April 29, 2007
Thanks for the article...it is heartening to see algae getting a lot of publicity, something I feel they deserve.

I co-ordinate Oilgae.com ( http://www.oilgae.com ), a site that explores use of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel...While the math certainly appears to favor algae, there are a number of issues to be overcome. These have to do with (1) choosing optimal algal strains, (2) issues faced in cultivation and harvesting, and (3) cost-effective methods to extract oil and transform it into biodiesel.

So yes, there is still a long way to go before it can be proven with certainty that algal biodiesel can be cost-effective on a large scale, but I'm optimistic most of the above-mentioned issues will be overcome.

Narsi from Oilgae - Oil from Algae @ http://www.oilgae.com
Add Your Comment

Registered users, please make sure to Sign-In. We and others want to know your ideas and opinions. If you are not yet Registered -- it's quick and easy. Just click below.
Thanks!

Register Now   Sign-In
 
Black & Veatch Corporation KYOCERA Solar, Inc. Spire Corporation Virtual Media Inc. DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions The Stella Group, Ltd. The Switch
World's #1 Renewable Energy Network
Twitter Facebook Linked In RSS Feeds e-Newsletters