Algal High-Rises and Airships: 2nd Most Bizarre Biofuels Story of the Year

Algal biofuels were proposed last year as an answer to the stalled Filene’s construction site at Downtown Crossing in Boston. The Eco-Pod, as designed, is a vertical algae bioreactor built with custom prefabricated modules. According to Höweler + Yoon, the proposed pods would serve as biofuel sources and as micro-incubators for other research and development programs.

Meanwhile, the conceptual architect Vincent Callebaut developed an algae-powered hybrid aircraft concept, the Hydrogenase, designed to fly at 6.500 feet (2,000 meters), carry 200 tons of freight and achieve airspeeds of 109 Mph.

According to the designer: “The floating farm is a true organic purifying station composed of 4 carbon wells in which the green seaweeds recycle our carbonated waste brought by ships. This is directly dedicated to feed organically in biohydrogen the proactive airship…Energically self-sufficient, this farm organises on a radiant plan, the seaweed bioreactors exposed to the zenith sun under the lenticular accelerators for a better photochemical output.

“The whole set forms four gardens dedicated to the accelerated photosynthesis where we access through marinas setting the exchanges between this true new floating city and the surrounding coasts.

“On top of producing clean energy, this floating purifying station is also an incredible observatory of the sea fauna and flora that fight for the protection of ecosystems and for the revitalization of the beds of corals and of endangered species. It is a true cleaner of seas and oceans by skimming and damaging as main nutrient the floating waste banks of our energy-consuming civilisation.”