A pilot project in Texas has generated 33,000 gallons of vegetable oil per acre from a close-looped algae bioreactor for use as a biodiesel feedstock. The project is headed by Vertigro, a joint venture between Global Green Solutions and Valcent Products. Interesting stat: Soybeans produce 49 gallons of veg oil per acre. Palm oil produces 630 gallons of veg oil per acre. Read more here. See video below.
Beneath the ocean there are forests of seaweed that act as a carbon sink. Some researchers believe stimulated growth of these forests could sequester a substantial amount of atmospheric carbon. However, obviously the seaweed will eventually decompose and then some of the carbon will once again be released. Some portion of the biomass may be sequestered as it falls to the ocean floor. Given seaweed and algae’s rapid growth, if a more long-term growth sequestration scenario is found these plants could prove to be very profitable. Interesting stat: Some types of seaweed can grow three or four meters (yards) long in only three months. Read more here.
Everybody’s doing it… NREL, major Universities, Chevron.. everybody is researching the potential for algae to be the next feedstock and a means to get double the bang for your carbon output. Interesting stat: The Defense Department estimates that it costs $20 a gallon to convert algae to biodiesel or a useable fuel. Read more here.
