Could tiny photosynthetic micro-organisms help solve our energy problems? We’ve written about companies developing algae-based fuel technologies in the past, (Vertigro Energy) and recent issues with biofuels have made algae-based technology even more compelling because the production process doesn’t require use of arable land or compete with humans for food stocks.
A new player in the algae tech is Sapphire Energy, who announced yesterday that they’ve produced renewable 91 octane gasoline that meets fuel industry standards. What makes this ecotechnology so attractive is that it’s not a traditional biofuel, isn’t ethanol, doesn’t require crops or farmland to be produced and can be used with existing infrastructure. “The basic production requirements are comprised of CO2, sun and water. Algae can flourish in non-arable land or in dirty water, and when it does flourish, its potential oil yield per acre is unmatched by any other terrestrial feedstock.”
Sapphire states that their “scalable production facilities can grow easily and economically because production is modular, transportable, and fueled by sunlight – not constrained by land, crops, or other natural resources.”
Venture capital companies and investment firms have plunked down $50 million to get Sapphire up and running.
find out more @ sapphireenergy.com and greencrudeproduction.com
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Why this is a bad idea, from David Blume
“We do not need or want a replacement for gasoline. It’s dirty, i’ts toxic and it’s unnecessary, whether it’s renewable or not. Yes this tech would probably reduced global warming but would do nothing for toxic air pollution and it WILL be owned by big business if not shortly by big oil.
If it has a chemical structure similar to gasoline it will have
similar exhaust composition.”
Despite media myths, ethanol is still the best choice for our future. WE can control its manufacture. That’s what scares Big Oil and their allies.
This is wonderful to read, I was just saying to
a friend today that the necessity for oil could be
obsolete, our dependence on this environmentally
unsound resource should be cut, and seeing advancements such as this is very encouraging.
Thank you for passing on the info.
A friend had just told me last night about this idea of a new crude oil being generated from algae. This is fascinating. I’m looking forward to watching where this goes, and will pass the word along to all the readers on our website as well: wisengreener.com
This is a fantastic discovery on so many levels. Lets face it, for the foreseeable future, the U.S. and all developed nations will continue to use fossil fuels. This technology can replace what is extracted and shipped and refined from the ground. This can reduce, and potentially eliminate dependence on foreign resources while supplying our economies with the fuels that are used in our vehicles today. No modifications required to the auto, shipping, or airline industry are needed nor required. While researchers explore even “greener” energy options, this “green-oil” can be the bridge to help get us there. Fossil based fuels are being depleted every day and thus far no viable alternative has come online in great numbers. Want a hybrid car, buy one if you’ve got the means. Oh, can’t trade in that SUV, well too bad for you. Bio-diesel and Ethanol destroy our planet faster but using huge amounts of farmland, enormous amounts of fresh water and an incalculable amount of energy. This is the future!
it’s really a nice and new idea….wish to know more