Algae as an energy source
November 29th 2007 13:42
This is interesting:
That sounds promising. While I've been encouraged by research into ethanols based on a variety of alternative sources such as corn or soybeans, we know that using those resources can cause their market prices to rise. This is problematic since we rely on corn and soybeans for food and a variety of other products. In particular, it can be extremely detrimental for third world countries when global prices rise for basic staples of their diets.
With algae, we don't face those problems. It doesn't have any other critical uses and its use in this regard won't cause an adverse ripple effect throughout the global economy. Also, algae is actually a better energy-producer than food crops:
According to the article, production of algae-based oil is still cost-prohibitive, but a lot of money is being thrown at it. According to one entrepreneur quoted in the article, the price per gallon of fuel from this technology could drop significantly by 2011. Granted, these things never seem to pan out according to the seemingly optimistic predictions, but maybe we can catch a break this time and see a real breakthrough. If so, algae could be a much-needed savior in terms of addressing the energy needs of the US and the world.
NOTE: If you're interested, additional articles about using algae as a source for energy needs can be found here and here and here.
In a world spooked by global warming and thirsty for nonpolluting fuel, lowly algae hold a potent appeal. The plants sop up large quantities of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and produce tiny globules of fat that can be collected and turned into biodiesel fuel for trucks, cars, and trains. The oils might even be processed into aircraft fuel.
That sounds promising. While I've been encouraged by research into ethanols based on a variety of alternative sources such as corn or soybeans, we know that using those resources can cause their market prices to rise. This is problematic since we rely on corn and soybeans for food and a variety of other products. In particular, it can be extremely detrimental for third world countries when global prices rise for basic staples of their diets.
With algae, we don't face those problems. It doesn't have any other critical uses and its use in this regard won't cause an adverse ripple effect throughout the global economy. Also, algae is actually a better energy-producer than food crops:
Unlike cornfields that are harvested to produce ethanol, algae farms don't require huge volumes of freshwater, nor do they tie up land that could be used for food crops. Algae flourish in saltwater or even wastewater and grow up to 40 times faster than other plants. Compared with current energy crops, algae have "the potential to deliver 10 or 100 times more energy per acre," says Ron C. Pate, a technical expert at Sandia National Labs.
According to the article, production of algae-based oil is still cost-prohibitive, but a lot of money is being thrown at it. According to one entrepreneur quoted in the article, the price per gallon of fuel from this technology could drop significantly by 2011. Granted, these things never seem to pan out according to the seemingly optimistic predictions, but maybe we can catch a break this time and see a real breakthrough. If so, algae could be a much-needed savior in terms of addressing the energy needs of the US and the world.
NOTE: If you're interested, additional articles about using algae as a source for energy needs can be found here and here and here.
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