National Algae Association Being Formed to Advance Biodiesel Production
High soybean and palm oil prices are sending biodiesel producers looking for a less expensive feedstock for their product. The poster child these days appears to be algae, pond scum with dignity.
Several companies are now researching and beginning to produce oil derived from algae, that would replace food crops as a feedstock for biodiesel production. They claim higher oil yields for less water and acreage needed for food crops.
The National Algae Association informed Green Options it has opened its new headquarters in The Woodlands, TX. An article in Biodiesel Magazine quoted the association founder, Barry Cohen of Biofuel Capital Partners, as saying "We've got biodiesel producers that are contacting us every single day because they know they've got a problem", referring to high soybean and vegetable oil biofuel feedstock costs.
In my interview with Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent Products, Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow? Vertically?, he says one acre of corn will yield about 18 gallons of oil. The same acre of ground would produce about 600 to 700 gallons of palm oil a year, and one acre of algae, with his process right now will produce 33,000 gallons of oil a year, and they are pushing for 100,000 gallons a year. Kertz told me if he were given one-tenth of the state of New Mexico, his process would solve every energy need in the U.S. for one year.
If you'd like to see the process in action and hear from Mr. Kertz, you will find their video at the Valcent Products page.
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