First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online: April 1, 2008
PetroSun has announced it will begin operation of its commercial algae-to-biofuels facility on April 1st, 2008.
The facility, located in Rio Hondo Texas, will produce an estimated 4.4 million gallons of algal oil and 110 million lbs. of biomass per year off a series of saltwater ponds spanning 1,100 acres. Twenty of those acres will be reserved for the experimental production of a renewable JP8 jet-fuel.
Gordon LeBlanc, Jr., CEO of PetroSun, had this to say:
“Our business model has been focused on proving the commercial feasibility of the firms’ algae-to-biofuels technology during the past eighteen months. Whether we have arrived at this point in time by a superior technological approach, sheer luck or a redneck can-do attitude, the fact remains that microalgae can outperform the current feedstocks utilized for conversion to biodiesel and ethanol, yet do not impact the consumable food markets or fresh water resources.”
Microalgae have garnered considerable attention, since acre-by-acre microalgae can produce 30-100 times the oil yield of soybeans on marginal land and in brackish water. The biomass left-over from oil-pressing can either be fed to cattle as a protein supplement, or fermented into ethanol.
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The big problem has been figuring out how to collect and press the algae, and in the case of open ponds, to prevent contamination by invasive species. PetroSun seems to have figured it out, and this may be the first algae biofuel plant to get off the ground.
PetroSun won’t be making fuel immediately, but plans on either building or acquiring ethanol and biodiesel production plants. They’ve conveniently located themselves in an area accessible by barge, which should make fuel distribution a snap.
An aerial view (Google maps) of the algae farms can be seen here.
This is NOT an April Fool’s joke! See the press release here.
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Expect to see major announcement involving a Fortune 25 company in the next few weeks.
Just Excellent!!!
This is not the only one ready to launch. This companies will be sprouting up all over the place but the feasibility of it is more extensive than originally thought. I’ll be surprised if a significant amount of oil is made in the next 3 years.
[...] Posts: First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online: April 1, 2008 How Biodiesel Fuel-Cells Could Power The Future (And Your Car) Switchgrass Could Displace 30% of US [...]
Greenfuel Technologies says they are charging $92 mil to a European company to build a plant there, won’t it be somethin if the rednecks figured it out for less than that? Texas Longhorns rule!
I agree with Mike, which is why I have been making my own BioDiesel for 5 years. I offer classes that teach others how to make it as well. If you are interested my email address is TheJeremyAdam@yahoo.com. I put myself at risk by publishing my email address but I do so because I feel so strongly about democratizing this wonderful fuel. Please let me know if you are interested.
[...] Posts: First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online: April 1, 2008 Switchgrass Could Displace 30% of US Petroleum Usage With 94% GHG Reduction First Cellulosic [...]
Making your own biodiesel is fantastic, but it’s based on a finite supply of used cooking oil. This announcement is talking about high-volume production of a domestic, renewable fuel that could offset a major amount of the petroleum used in the US.
National Algae Association - Almost Sold Out
The Woodlands, Texas
Algae: The Next Biofuel
Inaugural
Algae Commercialization
Business Plan and Networking Forum
April 10, 2008
http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com
[...] this situation is that we have better options going online already, like cellulosic ethanol and algae biofuel facilities. Let’s just hope they can start ramping up production before this really gets out [...]