Algal Biofuels: Technology and Market Developments

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New report: Algal Biofuels: Technology and Market Developments

As energy demands skyrocket and oil reserves begin to falter in their stability, the need for a reliable renewable fuel source grows. While a number of unconventional feedstocks are currently being investigated as potential biofuel producers, microalgae have emerged as one of the most potentially promising routes to making biofuels, especially biodiesel.

Algal biofuels have enormous potential and may offer a breakthrough solution to both energy security and global warming concerns. With significant amounts of venture capital, private equity funds, and human talent having been allocated to numerous algae start-ups/developments, the race is now on to develop the first commercial-scale algal biofuels production system that can generate investor returns and create a new transportation fuel infrastructure model.

Authored by Andrea Marandino and edited by Danny Dicks, this 40 page Innovation Observatory report presents perspectives on the potential for algal biofuels, the direction of technological developments and limitations of the industry. It highlights research efforts and presents case studies and examples of pioneering work in the algae energy domain, including wastewater treatment, CO2 sequestration at power plants, and production of valuable co-products.

Table of Contents

0 Executive summary

1 Fuel from algae – introduction

2 The potential benefits of using algae to create biofuel
2.1 Algae thrive in a wide range of locations
2.2 Algae yields
2.3 Opportunities for high-value co-products
2.4 Algae for production of jet fuel
2.5 Environmental benefits of algal oil production

3 The process of creating biofuels from algae

4 Algal fuel development
4.1 Significant US R&D support is benefiting specific companies
4.2 European government support is less dramatic

5 Direction of technological development
5.1 Open systems are cheap but susceptible to contamination
5.2 Closed bioreactors are more controllable, but costly
5.2.1 Tubular photobioreactors
5.2.2 Flat panel photobioreactors
5.2.3 Low-cost photobioreactors

6 Barriers to commercial-scale production
6.1 Growing algae
6.2 Harvesting algae
6.3 Algae Extraction

7 Market prospects

8 Company profiles
8.1 Algenol Biofuels
8.2 Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation
8.3 Aurora Biofuels
8.4 Bodega Algae
8.5 Diversified Energy Corporation
8.6 Global Green Solutions Inc.
8.7 LiveFuels
8.8 OriginOil
8.9 Sapphire Energy
8.10 Solazyme
8.11 Solix Biofuels
8.12 XL Renewables
9 Conclusions

Algal Biofuels: Technology and Market Developments is priced at GBP500 (plus VAT if you are in the UK, plus £5 postage and packing) for a licence for up to five users. The report will be delivered by email as a .pdf file and a hardcopy will be posted to you.

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