What’s up with Algae now? 

Algenol

Algenol is commercializing its patented algae technology platform for production of ethanol and other biofuels.

Algenol’s patented technology enables the production of the four most important fuels (ethanol, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel) for around $1.30 per gallon each using proprietary algae, sunlight, carbon dioxide and saltwater at production levels of 8,000 total gallons of liquid fuel per acre per year. Algenol’s technology produces high yields and relies on Algenol’s patented photobioreactors and proprietary downstream separation techniques for low-cost fuel production.  These “novel, low-cost techniques have the added benefit of consuming carbon dioxide from industrial sources, not using farmland or food crops and being able to provide freshwater,” the company says.

“This year, 2015,” says CEO and founder Paul Woods, “is the year we announce our first commercial facility, to be located in the United States.  This first facility will provide the basis for rapid expansion around the world in suitable locations.”

In February, Algenol announced that it has closed on a new $25 million investment from BioFields, a Mexican business group devoted to the development of renewable and clean energy projects. This new investment follows a previous investment of $40 million from BioFields in 2014 — in all, BioFields has invested $65M in Algenol.

Founded in 2006, Algenol converts CO2 from industrial emitters into transportation fuels through its game-changing DIRECT TO ETHANOL process. The Company is working aggressively to commercialize this unique technology and scale production of its products. Algenol has recently commenced initial operations of a pilot commercial module at its Florida development campus, which builds on the successful launch of a demonstration project in India.

Algae Systems

Algae Systems LLC completed demonstration of a new biofuel production approach in early-August jointly with Japans IHI Corporation. The process is based on the conversion of algae and wastewater to energy and clean water. A demonstration plant, located in Daphne Alabama, combines wastewater with algae to produce the worlds first energy-generating wastewater treatment process, using carbon-negative technologies. This process will yield both bio-fuel and drinking water.

Algae.Tec

In March, following successful algae growth trials, Algae.Tec commenced the expansion of its development and manufacturing facilities in Cumming, Georgia and the building of an initial small scale plant for the production of algae for the nutraceutical market. On completion, scheduled to be within 6 months, it is expected that this initial plant will produce algae at the rate of 50,000 kilos of algae per year and generate revenues of $1 million per year. It is planned that this initial production will be increased in stages to achieve a total production capacity up to 2,000,000 kilos per year.

The Company’s algae development and manufacturing centre in Cumming, GA. is an ideal location for implementing this initial plant, taking advantage of the significant resources already in place and the readily accessible market. Incremental expansions of algae production capacity in Cumming will be funded by generated cash flow and equity, and will be followed by plants in different geographic locations including Australia.

Alltech Algae

Last June, Alltech commenced construction on an algae production plant on the same premises as Alltech Sao Pedro, the largest yeast plant for animal nutrition in the world. This new $63 million investment in Brazil will generate more than 200 direct and indirect jobs, and it will increase Alltech’s Latin America production by 58 percent.

Alltech produces heterotrophic algae, grown in closed stainless steel fermenters. This production practice allows for total control of the process, ensuring traceability, consistency and strict contamination control.

In 2011, Alltech Algae cut the ribbon on its new $200 million plant in Winchester, Kentucky.  The plant was acquired in 2010 from Martek Bioscience Corporation for approximately $14 million and has been renovated in the past few months to begin in April as what Alltech calls one of the largest algae production sites in the world.

The primary focus of the facility will be the development of products derived from algae. “Our concentration is in algal technology for animal and aquaculture feeds,” the company told The Digest.

Aquafuel

Aquafuel’s algae fuel was used to power the world’s first electric Grand Prix series showcasing zero emission technologies. Formula E’s sustainability manger Julia Pallé told BusinessGreen the championship organizers have signed a deal with U.K. startup Aquafuel to supply generators powered by glycerine, a byproduct of biodiesel that also can be produced from saltwater algae. Organizers had hoped to have 10 teams compete in 10 “ePrix” in the first season, but planned events in Rio and Mexico City have fallen through.

Working with the UK’s leading fuel company Greenergy, Aquafuel has developed new technology for the combustion of glycerine in standard diesel generators. Located in the paddock, these generators will be used at all ePrix with the sole purpose of ensuring the Formula E cars are charged quickly, safely, fairly and without producing CO2 emissions.

Using a single generator, all 40 cars can be charged from flat to full in 50 minutes and with automated precise power controls, can be relied upon to ensure no car is given additional power.