Comments on: The new, old alternative fuel — Algae? http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/ News About Tech, Money and Innovation Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:10:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Algae biofuel, are we getting closer? : Greening You http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-815276 Algae biofuel, are we getting closer? : Greening You Fri, 30 May 2008 16:13:02 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-815276 [...] Some say so. There has been a lot of hype over algae based biofuel, and a lot of money is being invested, but whether it’s a scalable alternative is yet to be proven. Arizona based GreenFuel is one [...] [...] Some say so. There has been a lot of hype over algae based biofuel, and a lot of money is being invested, but whether it’s a scalable alternative is yet to be proven. Arizona based GreenFuel is one [...]

]]> By: Aquaflow successfully harvests wild algae » VentureBeat http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-804279 Aquaflow successfully harvests wild algae » VentureBeat Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:28:26 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-804279 [...] biofuels include Solazyme, which recently some venture funding and debt (coverage here and here ), LiveFuels and Aurora Biofuels. Unlike Aquaflow, most of these companies are choosing to engineer their own [...] [...] biofuels include Solazyme, which recently some venture funding and debt (coverage here and here ), LiveFuels and Aurora Biofuels. Unlike Aquaflow, most of these companies are choosing to engineer their own [...]

]]> By: bcohen http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-785920 bcohen Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:19:33 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-785920 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE National Algae Association 4747 Research Forest Dr., Suite 180 The Woodlands, Texas 77381 National Algae Association, The Woodlands, Texas (February 11, 2008) National Algae Association Algae: The Next Biofuel Business Plan and Networking Forum April 10, 2008 Early stage algae production companies will showcase their companies at the National Algae Association business plan and networking forum on April 10th. The most promising algae oil production companies will present their new ventures in front of an audience of algae researchers, biodiesel/biofuel companies interested in learning about algae commercialization as well as potential investors and lenders. Deadline for all business plans must be submitted by March 28, 2008. Business plans will be reviewed by the executive committee. Only 6 business plans will be picked to present at the National Algae Association quarterly business plan and networking forum. When: April 10, 2008 Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm Where: Training and Development Conference Center 5000 Research Forest Dr., 1st floor The Woodlands, Texas 77381 Cost: $50 admission per person Make Check Payable to: National Algae Association 4747 Research Forest Dr., Suite 180 The Woodlands, Texas 77381 Agenda 8:00 am Registration 9:00 am Opening Remarks 9:15 – 11:30 am Company Business Plan Presentations 11:30 – Noon Feedback Panel 12:15 pm Lunch & Service Provider Showcase 1:00 – 3:00 pm Company Business Plan Presentations 3:00 – 3:30 pm Feedback Panel 5:00 – 6:30 pm Networking and Reception Membership: $500 annual dues Sponsors can attend the Business Plan Forum at no cost. More Information: info@nationalalgaeassociation.com or info@biofuelcapital.com www.nationalalgaeassociation.com To support the National Algae Association and become a member, please contact: 936.321.1125 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Algae Association
4747 Research Forest Dr., Suite 180
The Woodlands, Texas 77381

National Algae Association, The Woodlands, Texas
(February 11, 2008)

National Algae Association

Algae: The Next Biofuel

Business Plan and Networking Forum

April 10, 2008

Early stage algae production companies will showcase their companies at the National Algae Association business plan and networking forum on April 10th. The most promising algae oil production companies will present their new ventures in front of an audience of algae researchers, biodiesel/biofuel companies interested in learning about algae commercialization as well as potential investors and lenders. Deadline for all business plans must be submitted by March 28, 2008. Business plans will be reviewed by the executive committee. Only 6 business plans will be picked to present at the National Algae Association quarterly business plan and networking forum.

When: April 10, 2008

Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Where: Training and Development Conference Center

5000 Research Forest Dr., 1st floor

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Cost: $50 admission per person

Make Check Payable to:

National Algae Association

4747 Research Forest Dr., Suite 180

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Agenda

8:00 am Registration

9:00 am Opening Remarks

9:15 – 11:30 am Company Business Plan Presentations

11:30 – Noon Feedback Panel

12:15 pm Lunch & Service Provider Showcase

1:00 – 3:00 pm Company Business Plan Presentations

3:00 – 3:30 pm Feedback Panel

5:00 – 6:30 pm Networking and Reception

Membership:

$500 annual dues

Sponsors can attend the Business Plan Forum at no cost.

More Information:

info@nationalalgaeassociation.com or info@biofuelcapital.com

http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com

To support the National Algae Association and become a member, please contact: 936.321.1125

]]> By: Kazelaip http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-725174 Kazelaip Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:15:34 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-725174 nxuz! http://fwdxchbg.com dwwju avvef http://lyonkslg.com uflyi eooxb nxuz! http://fwdxchbg.com dwwju avvef http://lyonkslg.com uflyi eooxb

]]> By: Oilgae http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-78836 Oilgae Sat, 28 Apr 2007 07:16:37 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-78836 Thanks for the article...it is heartening to see algae getting a lot of publicity, something I feel they deserve. And all the best indeed to companies such as LiveFuels for trying to make this a reality I co-ordinate Oilgae.com ( http://www.oilgae.com ), a site that explores use of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel, and I can say with some amount of confidence based on my researches that algae appear to be one of the most qualified candidates for biodiesel production. While the math certainly appears to favor algae, there are a number of issues to be overcome. These have to do with (1) choosing optimal algal strains, (2) issues faced in cultivation and harvesting (believe me there are some serious bottlenecks here), and (3) cost-effective methods to extract oil and transform it into biodiesel. So yes, there is still a long way to go before it can be proven with certainty that algal biodiesel can be cost-effective on a large scale, but it is gratifying to see brilliant minds (not to forget VC money) getting into this field. And with institutes like MIT (Boston) getting into the act, I'm optimistic most of the above-mentioned issues will be overcome. Time will tell if algae are our future source of energy, but for now, they certainly appear to have many of the qualifications required for the same. Time will tell if algae are our future source of energy, but for now, they certainly appear to have many of the qualifications required for the same. Narsi from Oilgae - Oil from Algae @ http://www.oilgae.com Thanks for the article…it is heartening to see algae getting a lot of publicity, something I feel they deserve. And all the best indeed to companies such as LiveFuels for trying to make this a reality

I co-ordinate Oilgae.com ( http://www.oilgae.com ), a site that explores use of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel, and I can say with some amount of confidence based on my researches that algae appear to be one of the most qualified candidates for biodiesel production.

While the math certainly appears to favor algae, there are a number of issues to be overcome. These have to do with (1) choosing optimal algal strains, (2) issues faced in cultivation and harvesting (believe me there are some serious bottlenecks here), and (3) cost-effective methods to extract oil and transform it into biodiesel.

So yes, there is still a long way to go before it can be proven with certainty that algal biodiesel can be cost-effective on a large scale, but it is gratifying to see brilliant minds (not to forget VC money) getting into this field. And with institutes like MIT (Boston) getting into the act, I’m optimistic most of the above-mentioned issues will be overcome.

Time will tell if algae are our future source of energy, but for now, they certainly appear to have many of the qualifications required for the same.

Time will tell if algae are our future source of energy, but for now, they certainly appear to have many of the qualifications required for the same.

Narsi from Oilgae – Oil from Algae @ http://www.oilgae.com

]]> By: VentureBeat Wire » Algae-for-biofuel companies, Aurora and Solazyme, raise cash http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17495 VentureBeat Wire » Algae-for-biofuel companies, Aurora and Solazyme, raise cash Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:57:20 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17495 [...] In January, Rich Hilt, of Menlo Park, Calif.’s Live Fuels, wrote an article for VentureBeat, explaining the technology and why it is promising. His company is looking for about $10 million. [...] [...] In January, Rich Hilt, of Menlo Park, Calif.’s Live Fuels, wrote an article for VentureBeat, explaining the technology and why it is promising. His company is looking for about $10 million. [...]

]]> By: cecilia guerrero canoro cano http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17463 cecilia guerrero canoro cano Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:35:11 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17463 Can trepador green plants, which are abundant and low cost to reproduce with almost no maintenance, be used for production of ethanol? They also produce oils and go through photosynthesis the same as algae. Please reply to above E-mail addres. Thanks. Ceci. Can trepador green plants, which are abundant and low cost to reproduce with almost no maintenance, be used for production of ethanol? They also produce oils and go through photosynthesis the same as algae. Please reply to above E-mail addres. Thanks. Ceci.

]]> By: Tim Stevens http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17446 Tim Stevens Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:47:34 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17446 Thats an interesting article. Does LiveFuels actually exist though as the article states? Last I heard at the ThinkEquity conference in December it was just a business plan looking for funding and not an "existing company." Has anything changed? Thats an interesting article. Does LiveFuels actually exist though as the article states? Last I heard at the ThinkEquity conference in December it was just a business plan looking for funding and not an “existing company.” Has anything changed?

]]> By: Mark Walther http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17368 Mark Walther Mon, 29 Jan 2007 21:49:34 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17368 Great article! What can an average person do to help a project like this succeed? Great article! What can an average person do to help a project like this succeed?

]]> By: Will the new new fuel be made from green slime? - Vindu’s View from the Valley - A Silicon Valley Perspective on Public Policy, Business and Technology http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17356 Will the new new fuel be made from green slime? - Vindu’s View from the Valley - A Silicon Valley Perspective on Public Policy, Business and Technology Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:02:41 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17356 [...] One cluster of companies, including LiveFuels of Menlo Park, is trying to figure out how to make fuel from algae. In a guest post on Matt Marshall’s Venture Beat blog, LiveFuels co-founder Rich Hilt says algae would produce far more biodiesel per acre than the corn, sugar cane or soybeans being used today. Obviously, a lot of technical hurdles remain before we could efficiently convert green slime into fuel, but it would be way cool if the industry could figure out how to do it. [...] [...] One cluster of companies, including LiveFuels of Menlo Park, is trying to figure out how to make fuel from algae. In a guest post on Matt Marshall’s Venture Beat blog, LiveFuels co-founder Rich Hilt says algae would produce far more biodiesel per acre than the corn, sugar cane or soybeans being used today. Obviously, a lot of technical hurdles remain before we could efficiently convert green slime into fuel, but it would be way cool if the industry could figure out how to do it. [...]

]]> By: Naomi Moneypenny http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17355 Naomi Moneypenny Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:15:21 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17355 Excellent article Rich - thanks. Excellent article Rich – thanks.

]]> By: Berlin http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17350 Berlin Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:39:48 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17350 "corn-based ethanol is unlikely to ever replace more than 10 percent of the gasoline supply." http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11174/tech-stuff-ethanol-promises.html “corn-based ethanol is unlikely to ever replace more than 10 percent of the gasoline supply.” http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11174/tech-stuff-ethanol-promises.html

]]> By: The new, old alternative fuel — Algae? « Let’s think http://venturebeat.com/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/comment-page-1/#comment-17349 The new, old alternative fuel — Algae? « Let’s think Wed, 24 Jan 2007 19:55:33 +0000 http://www.venturebeat.com/contributors/2007/01/24/the-new-old-alternative-fuel-algae/#comment-17349 [...] The new, old alternative fuel — Algae? Venutre beat has this article by a biotech-entrepreneur Rich Hilt, who runs Menlo Park, Calif. company, LiveFuels, which is interesting if you are following the alternate energy area. The real question is: should ethanol be the focus or will other sources be ignored in doing so. Right now, ethanol produced from only the kernels of corn yield about 370 gals/acre/yr. Diesel produced from soybeans produces 50 gals/acre/yr. Biodiesel from Palm Oil beats both with yields of 600 gals/acre/yr. The promise of using the entire corn plant – which is referred to as “stover” and involves a more complex process in turning the cellulosic materials into ethanol – could produce 1,000 gals/acre/yr. Brazil is currently using sugar cane for its ethanol and produces about 650 gals/acre/yr. They are working on a “Super” cane that could produce 3,200 gals/acre/yr. So there is a range today of 50 to 600 gal/acre/yr for ethanol and diesel from biomass and the promise of 1,000 to 3,200 gal/acre/yr in the next 5 to 10 years for some of the other newer varieties of crops. [...] [...] The new, old alternative fuel — Algae? Venutre beat has this article by a biotech-entrepreneur Rich Hilt, who runs Menlo Park, Calif. company, LiveFuels, which is interesting if you are following the alternate energy area. The real question is: should ethanol be the focus or will other sources be ignored in doing so. Right now, ethanol produced from only the kernels of corn yield about 370 gals/acre/yr. Diesel produced from soybeans produces 50 gals/acre/yr. Biodiesel from Palm Oil beats both with yields of 600 gals/acre/yr. The promise of using the entire corn plant – which is referred to as “stover” and involves a more complex process in turning the cellulosic materials into ethanol – could produce 1,000 gals/acre/yr. Brazil is currently using sugar cane for its ethanol and produces about 650 gals/acre/yr. They are working on a “Super” cane that could produce 3,200 gals/acre/yr. So there is a range today of 50 to 600 gal/acre/yr for ethanol and diesel from biomass and the promise of 1,000 to 3,200 gal/acre/yr in the next 5 to 10 years for some of the other newer varieties of crops. [...]

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