Is the algal biofuel dream about to come true?

March 15, 2010
by Antonio Pasolini
2 min read
1 Comment

Source: Ecogenics Research Center
The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs for many decades – computer networking, NLS (the first type of hypertext system) – and now its research into algal fuel seems to be yielding results, or so it says.

It recently announced that “oil from algae is projected at $2 per gallon, headed towards $1 per gallon.” DARPA says it could be mass-producing up to 50 million gallons of algae-based biofuel in 2011.

There is a lot of interest in algae as a source of renewable energy. Algae can be grown in bioreactors on land not used to cultivation of food crops. Besides, algae production absorbs CO2 and its facilities can be co-located with power plants that burn fossil fuels. The CO2 from the power plants can be routed to the algae production facilities.

Avweb, a website dedicated to aviation news, wrote that the goal of DARPA’s research is to find a renewable energy replacement for JP-8, a type of fossil fuel used by the Air Force as well as an alternative for army vehicles. So the research is aimed at military use of clean fuel.

But not everyone is convinced. Blogger Robert Rapier thinks the announcement is nothing but an exercise in PR. “I don’t believe they can produce algal oil for $2/gallon. I don’t believe anyone can, particularly if they are growing the algae in open ponds”, he said.

More skepticism can be found here.

What do you think? Is the $2 per algal biofuel claim credible?

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About the author

Antonio Pasolini

London-based, Italo-Brazilian journalist and friend of the earth.

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1 Comment

  • There is indeed a time in the near future when 1 dollar a gallon bio-algae will be available. To think otherwise would be foolish. Exxon/Mobil dropped 300 million into a joint venture with Synthetic Geonomics to produce a speacial algae with the greatest density of lipids for conversion to fuels. Undermining the entire operation is the fact that where they are building the plant is in a part of the country which is hit very hard with drought like conditions. This is true of most areas on planet earth. Where there exists ample amounts of sunlinght it is usually accompanied by a lack of fresh water. The nexus between these two issues when solved will be the most profitable company on planet earth and drive the destiny of humanity for the next 1000 years. I know! I am the man who is going to do it.