Aurora Biofuels completes 18-month algae biodiesel pilot project; ready to commercialize; taps industry veteran Bob Walsh as CEO

In Florida, Aurora Biofuels announced that they have completed 18 months successful operation of a pilot scale, algae-based biodiesel production system. The patented, low-cost, open pond algae production system has been stably functioning since August 2007 and sequesters more than 90 percent of carbon dioxide fed into the system. The company said its technology is ready for scaling and commercialization, with a target.

The company said that, like PetroAlgae, it has overcome the contamination problem that had previously affected open-pond systems. Unusually, Aurora’s process uses seawater and can be operated on non-arable land. The company said that it expects to open a commercial-scale production plant by 2012 and will be price-competitive with fossil fuels.

In other news, the company announced that former LS9 president Robert Walsh has been appointed CEO of the company; Aurora founder Matthew Caspari will remain as VP, Business Development of the growing algae concern.

Walsh brings more than 28 years of global petroleum industry experience to the venture, including 26 years at Shell, where he served as General Manager Supply for Shell Europe Oil Products before joining LS9 as president. In addition, Aurora Biofuels added Dr. Mario Tredici, a professor of microbiology at the University of Florence, to their scientific advisory board.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Algae Movers and Shakers: Aurora Biofuels

Aurora leapt into the news this spring with a projected $1.30 cost for algae in its second-generation technology, due in 2013. The company completed an 18-month pilot earlier this year, and the compan...

Aurora Biofuels announces doubled algae production in open pond systems

[caption id="attachment_13369" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Aurora Biofuels pilot facility in Vero Beach, FL"][/caption] In California, Aurora Biofuels announced that it has succeeded in ...

Aurora Biofuels: In Florida, the panther roars as a little-seen algae producer targets $1.30 algae fuel “at the gate”

One of these days, someone is going to do a Google Earth flyover of the Florida coast and find a 500 square meter micropond that's growing algae the past 18 months. That's Aurora Biofuels. For now,...

Aurora Biofuels: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile

50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy:  Aurora Biofuels www.aurorabiofuels.com Based in: California 2008-09 Ranking: #30 Business: Aurora burst onto the scene in June 2008 with the announcement ...

Algae fuel developer PetroSun taps capital markets veteran as president

In Arizona, algae fuel developer PetroSun announced that James Robinson, a management consultant specializing in early-stage growth and capital development, has joined the firm as President. PetroSun ...

Markey says “Our legislation will unleash more than a trillion dollars’ worth of private sector investment” as four algae project advance

[caption id="attachment_13334" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Aurora Biofuels' pilot-scale algae-to-energy facility, in Vero Beach, FL "][/caption] As the summer of algae continues...