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Can Algae Biodiesel's Rise from Small Beginnings Result in Commercialization Success? New Report Shares All

Posted on : 14 Oct, 2008

In light of critical global oil shortages, algae biodiesel currently represents one of the most promising alternative fuel feedstocks. Released in line with Algae World 2008, Dr. John R. Benemann’s objective position paper ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Algae Biofuels Production’ is being offered by free download. This informative white paper addresses the need for extensive research and development to maximize the potential of algae biofuel as a sustainable, viable alternative energy source. 

SINGAPORE, September 25, 2008 – Prepared in association with Algae World 2008 scheduled in Singapore November 17-18, the position paper ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Algae Biofuels Production’ by Dr. John R. Benemann is being offered by free download. As algae biodiesel races to the forefront as a promising alternative energy source, Dr. Benemann’s paper provides an objective assessment of the current challenges facing algae biofuel development as well as its potential as a viable biofuel source.

Dr. John R. Benemann, co-author of the famous 1998 report to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory entitled ‘A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program: Biodiesel from Algae’, is considered one of the foremost experts on algae biodiesel. In his timely position paper ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Algae Biofuels Production’, he asserts that for algae energy to become a reality, “microalgae for biofuels in general and oil production in particular…still requires relatively long-term R&D, with emphasis currently more on the research rather than the development.”
 
To ensure greater algae biodiesel productivity, it would be necessary to:

• Overcome the unique challenges, as well as enhance the benefits, inherent in open pond, closed photobioreactor, and wastewater treatment algae fuel production systems.
• Identify reliable algal strains that are capable of producing high levels of algae oil as well as being resistant to contamination, adaptable to temperature extremes, tolerant of high oxygen levels and suited to local water conditions in growth ponds.
• Develop low-cost algae biofuel harvesting technologies.
• Substantially reduce the overall operational cost of algae biodiesel production systems. 

Although further research and development is required for algae biodiesel to become a viable biofuel, it maintains several salient advantages over other feedstocks. In his position paper, Dr. Benemann purports, “The interest in microalgae, as for other alternative biofuel sources, is that there would, or could, be less competition with food and feed production and that large-scale production is possible.”

Another exciting benefit of biodiesel from algae is microalgae’s short generation time, as little as one day in some outdoor mass cultures and just hours under laboratory conditions. This allows for more rapid technology as compared to conventional crop plants used for biodiesel whose lifecycle spans from months to years.

For free access to Dr. John R. Benemann’s informative and unbiased position paper ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Algae Biofuels Production’, visit http://www.futureenergyevents.com/algae/whitepaper/ for a free download.

Algae World 2008 will lend further insights into the potential of algae biodiesel as a sustainable, viable alternative energy source.

Keynote speakers for this critical two-day conference will include global experts in all facets of the algae biofuel industry to discuss:

• The competitiveness of algae biofuel with regard to other feedstocks. 
• The market outlook of algae biodiesel.
• Investment potential and demand for algae biofuel in Asia Pacific.
• Life cycle assessment of algae to energy.
• The latest information in the research and development of algae harvesting, lipid upgrading and oil extraction.
• Ways to overcome project development risks.

Russell Teall, President of Biodiesel Industries, Inc., has over 14 years experience in the biodiesel industry and will be chairing Algae World 2008. He speaks not only of algae’s promising potential as a biodiesel feedstock, but also of what Algae World 2008 attendees can expect at this informative, not to be missed two-day conference.

Teall states, “Algae has the potential to become the pre-eminent biodiesel feedstock. Substantial time, money and resources are being dedicated to the quest for the commercialization of algae production technology. Algae World is the place to hear and meet the leaders in this field.”

Algae World 2008 will gather into one arena, experts in all areas of the algae biofuel industry to address the long-term outlook of algae biodiesel as a viable alternative energy source. Attendance at Algae World 2008 is essential in clarifying algae fuel challenges and projecting long-term ROI.
 
To register for this critical groundbreaking two-day conference visit http://www.futureenergyevents.com/algae/attend/ to register.