Blessings

As the 2009 year comes to a close, reflection is called upon. So many blessings have been bestowed on Alganomics over this past year. Grants, project support, business guidance and encouragement are but of a few of the blessings. There are many organizations to thank, and although someone may get missed, a list is all too appropriate. Special thanks to the following:
Cape Fear Resource Conservation & Development
Clearwater Enterprises & Clark Brothers
Biofuel Center of North Carolina
NC Board of Science & Technology – NC Green Business Fund
North Carolina Biotechnology Center – Southeast Office
Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative
Town of Oak Island
Small Business Technology Development Center – Wilmington
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School - BASE

May the Lord bless you and yours this holiday season!

Independance Day

As the “Old Glory” is the symbol of freedom celebrated on the Fourth of July, Americans on a daily basis are focusing more on freedom from fossil fuels. Renewable energy and recycling have become the battle cries and many have been called to arms. From “Big Oil” to the environmental entrepreneurs, technology development is accelerating at a rapid pace. American ingenuity is again showing its true colors of red, white and blue. As the information age has created a nation strong in technology, the renewable energy age seeks to bring energy independence to the American horizon. Start by joining in a skirmish or join in a raging battle, but know we are each needed on some level in order to make this a success story. “We Want You!”

Green Jobs for America

Dr. Kim Jones of Alganomics will be a panel member at the following conference:

Join us to MoveOn … Green…
Green jobs for America: “Looking at Southeastern NC” Conference

When: March 28th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Where: Northeast Branch Library, 1241 Military Cut Off
Road in the David M. Paynter Assembly Room, Wilmington, NC.
What: A conference with key players providing
an overview of where we are on greening the
economy with green jobs and green initiatives.
WHY: To improve health, economic stability and
energy independence.
Free to all. A project of MoveOn Regional Council

Algae Commercialization Outlook

36 billion gallons by 2022!
Renewable Fuels Standard
On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 6) was signed into law. This comprehensive energy legislation amends the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) signed into law in 2005, growing to 36 billion gallons in 2022. By doing so, the bill seizes on the potential that renewable fuels offer to reduce foreign oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions and provide meaningful economic opportunity across this country, putting America firmly on a path toward greater energy stability and sustainability.

According to a January 2008 study, the economic impact of a 36 billion gallon RFS is as follows:
will add more than $1.7 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product between 2008 and 2022;
generate an additional $436 billion of household income for all Americans during the same time period;
support the creation of as many as 1.1 million new jobs in all sectors of the economy; and,
generate $209 billion in new Federal tax receipts.
(Source: Economic Impact of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, LECG LLC.)

This is the economic development our economy must invest in.

These are some highlights from the recent webinar by William Thurmond, ”Algae 2020: Biofuels Markets and Commercialization Outlook"
(http://www.emerging-markets.com/)
Key drivers in the biofuels market growth are:
Economic Security
Environmental Security
National Security
Energy Independence
Tax Incentives
Government Mandates

Algae biomass can produce multiple fuels from a single biomass source, including 1st generation biodiesel fuels, 1st generation ethanol fuels, and 2nd generation renewable diesel, renewable gasoline, jet fuel and biocrude. Algae is also being used in test trials for aviation, sea and road transport.

Production Volume by Fuelstock:
Soy 50 gal/acre/year
Palm 650 gal/acre/year
Jatropha ~250 gal/acre/year
Current Algae from ponds ~5,000 gal/acre/year
Algae Potential (photobioreactors) 10,000-20,000 gal/acre/year (continuous crop)

A substantial and growing gap between biofuel production and production capacity in the United States is caused by simply not enough feedstock or fuelstock. The US must look to alternative fuelstocks. Algae has such potential and a variable market for bioproducts, in addition to biofuels.

New Year, Fresh Algae

Happy New Year! 2009 promises to be a year of new direction, as the nation, states and local communities review the status quo and respond to the changing economy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its World Energy Outlook 2008 in November (http://www.iea.org/). The world’s natural resources and consumptions have been updated, and reflect significant reductions in the estimated lifetimes of availability. Renewable energy is slated to become the second largest source of electricity. Opportunities abound in the quest for viable renewable energy resources and many may come from surprising places. Alganomics, LLC believes that algae have great potential as one of the renewable energy resources to make a significant impact. The new year provides renewal of perspective and opportunities, as well as fresh algae growth, research and development.