Algae for Biofuel

Renewable Energy producing Renewable Energy

2012-01-25T21:02:00.000-05:00

Alganomics has added new alternative energy sources to their culturing systems and process. As a result of their 2009 NC Green Business Fund grant award, Alganomics has added a solar system and hybrid windmills. The project focused on ways to conserve energy, utilize renewable energy and reduce the carbon footprint. This funding source was a conversion from State of NC funds to Federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Stimulus funds. Cape Fear Solar Systems of Wilmington, NC was the subcontractor, who was very much a partner in making the solar system happen. We would like to thank all of those hard working folks with the Board of Science & Technology, under the NC Dept. of Commerce, for their patience and support!

Science Cafe

2012-01-20T21:00:00.004-05:00

The public is invited to attend the first Brunswick County Science Cafe. Hallmarks of a good Science Cafe are a casual atmosphere, interesting topic and stimulating conversation. Please join us for a presentation by Brunswick Community College's Dr. Kim Jones on "Biofuels" Monday, February 6, 2012. The venue is the Mexico Viejo Bar and Grill, near the Harris Teeter in Leland, NC. For more information on Science Cafes, please visit http://www.sciencecafes.org/. This Science Cafe is sponsored by the Brunswick County Early College High School.

Visit Alganomics' Displays

2011-05-11T21:00:00.000-04:00

Alganomics will be busy participating in several community events. Come visit us at the Oak Island 1st Crawl Festival this Saturday, May 14th from 10 AM until 2 PM. For more information, visit the Town's website announcements at www.oakislandnc.com/announcements.asp .
If you miss that fun and informative event, then come see us at Wilmington's Cape Fear Museum, "Energy Quest" event on Saturday, May 21st from 10 AM until 4 PM. For more information, visit their website at www.capefearmuseum.com/index.php?flag=family_event_energy .

Amazing Oak Island!

2011-05-11T20:00:00.002-04:00

Alganomics has been working collaboratively with the Town of Oak Island for two years. As negotiations with the City of Southport did not move forward, Alganomics chose to see how the current project could be expanded into the SMART (Sustainable Mariculture and Renewable Technologies) concept. Upon inquiry, it was found that Oak Island has been very progressive and proactive with their "green" initiatives. They have an active Green Initiatives Advisory Board, who have already undertaken some great projects, such as the septic to cistern project. The Town is also working to acheive the NC League of Municipalities' Green Challenge. Alganomics presented the SMART Enterprise proposal to the Green Initiatives Advisory Board, who approved it and recommended it to the Town Council. Dr. Kim Jones of Alganomics presented at the May 10th Town Council meeting, where SMART was unanimously approved by the Town Council. Absolutely everyone with Oak Island has been amazing with their support and encouragement! Expansion will take place in Bill Smith Park, which is adjacent to the current location. Stay tuned for great things to come from this exciting collaborative project, with the Town of Oak Island.
For more information, see the article in the Wilmington Star News http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110510/ARTICLES/110519963
or the interview with WECT News at http://www.wect.com/category/195960/video-landing-page?clipId=5844233&autostart=true&redirected=true .

Southport's SMART Enterprise Proposal

2011-03-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Economic development is on the minds of us all, as our nation all the way down to our cities, look for economic recovery. Revitalizing the city of Southport is becoming a common mantra for those who love our maritime city, here on the coast of North Carolina. The Southport Maritime Museum has never seen such terrific support, as it holds the hope of improving our local economy. How about not only celebrating our past maritime economy, but creating a sustainable maritime future?

The City of Southport has closed its wastewater treatment plant (WTP), located at 901 W. West Street. A proposal is before the Board of Aldermen, which is called Southport’s SMART (Sustainable Mariculture And Renewable Technologies) Enterprise. The proposal is to retool the WTP toward mariculture and renewable energy, as a green business incubator and research park. The relatively hidden plant can be transformed by utilizing the tanks and pumps for aquaculture. Local fish, such as flounder or black sea bass, could be cultured to restock our natural waters or for local, organic dining. Algae, which naturally clean the water, can also be cultured. Algae biomass can be used for bioproduct research, which may include biofuels, bioplastic, animal feed, nutraceuticals, etc.

What makes this site so unique, other than the infrastructure which can be retooled, and saltwater access, and mariculture potential that can actually put the water back into the waterway cleaner than it receives it? It already has a beautiful wind turbine conducting research onsite and is located in a natural wind corridor. Alganomics already has a stimulus fund grant to install solar panels to their photobioreactors, which can be located onsite. Alganomics is also currently working on a Biofuels Center of NC grant, researching algae for biofuels. It is a perfect storm of economic potential in clean technologies!

What’s in it for the City of Southport?
• Maintains ownership of valuable property for future generations
• No financial obligations for the City
• Local job creation and workforce development
• Local food and energy production, decentralization of resources
• Economic development in a growing clean tech sector
• Environmental stewardship
• Reuse/recycle infrastructure and equipment onsite
• Promotion of Southport’s maritime heritage in the seafood industry
• High interest topic for tourism
• Educational opportunity for K-12 and internships with regional colleges & universities
• Model for public-private collaborations
• Potential for significant revenue source through long-term lease agreement and renewable energy tax credit return
• Grant opportunities for site improvements
• High profile, positive promotion for the City and State

The North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) is asking member cities and towns to participate in their Green Challenge or to strive for higher certification in the program. The NCLM Green Challenge recognizes the commitment of cities and towns to preserve natural resources and the many innovative and exciting projects underway to save energy, resources and money. This win-win SMART Enterprise could garner an advanced certification for the City of Southport! For more information, please visit http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/Pages/Green-Challenge.aspx .

The current request is for the Southport Board of Aldermen to allow a portion of the property to be utilized for the period of one year, while they review a long-term waterfront development plan. A longer term commitment by the City would create more opportunity for successes to be developed. Alganomics, LLC is a local entrepreneurial, sustainable business founded by Dr. Kimberly Jones, with her husband Scott Jones, as the Project Manager. Two items make this proposal a bit time sensitive. There is potential to submit a NC Green Business Fund grant proposal for the Enterprise, but the due date is March 30th. Alganomics must also begin its ARRA (stimulus fund) grant immediately. As Alganomics is outgrowing its current location at the Oak Island Biological Treatment and Reuse Water Facility, it would like to begin the solar panel installation and not create the need to move it immediately. For more information on Alganomics, please visit http://algaeresource.com/ .

Can you imagine local art students painting the concrete tanks with a maritime mural, high school and community college students participating in internships, ecotourism flourishing, state and national recognitions, job creation, educational workshops and so much more, all in one project? Please help support this project to the City of Southport Board of Aldermen, by contacting them or coming to the next meeting on March 10th (http://www.cityofsouthport.com/cityofficials.htm).

Alganomics Graduates from UNC's 2010 BASE Program

2011-02-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Alganomics graduates from the 2010 Business Accelerator for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (BASE) Program at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
BASE connects entrepreneurs to a range of sustainability resources—from expertise to capital—to accelerate their growth and impact. Business were chosen via a competitive process, which took place in the fall of 2009. Throughout the year of 2010, the administration of Alganomics traveled to Chapel Hill for mentorship and sustainable business resources through workshops and presentations. In February of 2011, Alganonomics was presented with a certificate of completion for the BASE Program.

BASE is one of the first business incubators designed specifically to support businesses that address the triple-bottom-line of financial profitability, social equity and environmental sustainability. The Center for Sustainable Enterprise (CSE) at UNC Kenan-Flagler created the interdisciplinary UNC program in 2008. Its goal is to develop businesses that provide environmental and social solutions that model green business practices. It aims to strengthen communities across the state by growing innovative, scalable green ventures and building the knowledge, talent and skill of North Carolinians. BASE works to ensure the firms’ long-term success by providing expertise and resources during the crucial start-up phase. It assists a wide network of entrepreneurs by providing access to business coaching, workshops and training, and a network of entrepreneurs, investors and small-business experts. The Aspen Institute’s survey, “Beyond Grey Pinstripes” ranks UNC Kenan-Flagler one of the top business schools in the world for education in this arena. To find out more about BASE visit http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/cse/BASE/index.cfm .

Governor Perdue and Biotechnology

2010-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Governor Beverly Perdue visits UNC-Wilmington's Center for Marine Science, in a rare visit to the southeast region. Alganomics' Dr. Kim Jones was one of a handful of small business leaders invited to attend. Dr. Jones had the opportunity to personally thank the Governor for her NC Green Business Fund grant program. Governor Perdue expressed the need to keep pushing for new jobs, while competing on the world stage in biotechnology. She toured the Center for Marine Science and heard first-hand of the entrepreneurial business support provided by the University. For more, please visit http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=13583277

Opportunities & Collaborations

2010-10-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

It has been a while between posts and Alganomics has been very busy! We attended the advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference, "The First Billion Gallons" held in Washington, DC at the end of April. Immediately following that conference, we were one of a handful of businesses requested to the Embassy of the Philippines for meetings on the Philippine Biofuels Trade Mission, which is co-sponsored by the USDA. Hosted by the honorable Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, it was both a cultural and business bridge-building experience. Alganomics had the opportunity to meet with the CEO's from each of the biofuels businesses located in the Philippines. It is our sincere hope to find ways to collaborate.

A collaboration, which began in June with a presentation to the newly formed Caldwell Green Commission in Lenoir, is gaining traction, as funding is sought for a Bioenergy Park. At the end of October, we were happy to host their representatives on tours of our facilities in Brunswick County and facilities in Bladen County, which are part of another collaborative research endeavor. Caldwell County has an incredible opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons, by utilizing closed factories and brown field areas for the production of feedstocks for biofuels and incorporating renewable energy. Congratulations to the Caldwell Green Commission for moving into their new office, hosted by GOOGLE. Mark your calendars for the Caldwell Green Commission's Grand Opening at Lenoir, NC on November 23, 2010 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

Speaking of opportunities and collaborations, Alganomics has presented a project called the "Sustainable Mariculture And Renewable Technologies (SMART) Enterprise" to the City of Southport. Information was provided to the Board of Aldermen for their October meeting (Oct. 14, 2010). A request was made for a presentation at the November meeting. The next post will have more on the exciting opportunities offered by Southport's SMART Enterprise.

Oak Island Environmental Spring Festival

2010-04-19T05:20:00.000-04:00

1st CRAWL SPRING FESTIVAL

The 1st Crawl (Environmental) Spring Festival will be held on Saturday, April 24th from 10am-2pm at Middleton Park. Alganomics, LLC will participate in this event, with its mobile laboratory trailer onsite. This is an appreciation event for the Oak Island Community with an emphasis on environmental education. The festival will appeal to all ages and will include informational booths, give-away items, speakers, demonstrations, entertainment, childrens activities, food and will kickoff with a Team Turtle Triathlon (paddle, bike, run/walk). Team Turtle Triathlon will begin at 8am. For more information call: 910-278-5518 COME OUT AND HAVE A BLAST!

Green Enterprise Resource Summit

2010-04-19T05:06:00.000-04:00

On Monday, April 19th, U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre will host a “Green Enterprise Resource Summit.” Alganomics will be represented by Dr. Kim Jones. The Summit is open to all and will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne. Directions can be found at: http://cfcc.edu/campusmap/northcampus.html. Jobs are the most important issue facing our area, and this event will highlight federal and state resources that can assist green business and green job creation and will encompass a thorough discussion of what resources are available through state and federal government to grow green jobs. We will be welcoming representatives from multiple federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Green Business Fund, the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, and more. Attendees will learn what resources these and other agencies have to offer and how they can access those resources. The second half of the summit will provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions of the agency representatives and to offer suggestions on how Congress and government, in general, can best assist their efforts to grow green sector jobs in southeastern North Carolina. Hope to see you there!

Presenting at National Algae Association

2010-03-11T00:59:00.000-05:00

Alganomics will be represented via a presentation by Dr. Kim Jones at the National Algae Association's Mid-South Chapter Workshop on Friday, March 26, 2010. The workshop, titled "Algae: Mining Wastewater for Nutrients, Feed and Fuel," will be held in Huntsville, Alabama. The workshop description is as follows:
"With US freshwater supplies slowly dwindling and algae culture quickly becoming the centerpiece of bioenergy/bioremediation research, we must carefully examine our water and nutrient sources for an efficient, sustainable algal industry. This workshop explores how to minimize algae's freshwater and nutrient footprints by recycling anthropogenic wastewater streams including agricultural, municipal, and industrial while at the same time producing a host of valuable algal end products. In addition, we will learn of algae's tremendous potential as a cost-effective bioremediation tool for wastewater streams, effecting a more stable and healthy ecosystem."
Dr. Jones' presentation is titled, "Phycoremediation: Balancing the Chemical Budgets," with the following description:
Phycoremediation, or the use of microalgae for the removal of nutrients, organics and/or heavy metals from wastewaters, is gaining research intensity, as a result of biofuels/bioproducts and environmental mandates. Designing integrated chemical recycling systems will impact "algae to biofuels" through its environmental remediation, productivity and economics.
Please see the National Algae Assn. website for registration details, http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com/.

Blessings

2009-12-18T06:43:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-05T22:02:00.000-04:00

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

2009-03-27T04:40:00.000-04:00

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

2009-03-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

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

2009-01-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

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.

NC Biotech Infrastructure

2008-11-04T08:19:00.000-05:00

Did you know that North Carolina is ranked third in the nation for its biotechnology companies? More than 450 bioscience companies are headquartered or have operations in North Carolina. For more information on the biotechnology infrastructure that is being developed for NC, visit the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s (NCBC) website at:
http://www.ncbiotech.org/biotechnology_in_nc/index.html
Forbes magazine in 2008 has named North Dakota, Iowa, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina as the top five U.S. states for producing biomass feedstocks. Alganomics hopes to add to the biomass feedstock’s market through algae production. North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership’s goal is simple and bold in statement but challenging to bring about over time: to develop a liquid biofuels industry that is substantial in output, agriculturally and economically important, sustainable, and significant across the State. Bringing about this outcome requires a smart combination of sustained policy, resources, and vision, which is outlined in 9 strategies within the plan.
Strategy 1: North Carolina’s vision is strong and ambitious. By 2017, 10 percent of liquid fuels sold in North Carolina will come from biofuels grown and produced within the State.
To read the complete plan, visit:
http://www.ncbiotech.org/biotechnology_in_nc/strategic_plan/documents/biofuels_plan.pdf

Algae Communication

2008-10-30T08:46:00.000-04:00

Algae for biofuels is taking a positive turn in promoting more communication. Many technology oriented conferences are including a "green" component with algae as a highlight. Two organizations in the United States have taken the lead, the National Algae Association http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com/ in Woodlands, Texas, and the Algal Biomass Association http://www.algalbiomass.org/ in Seattle, Washington. Keeping information and ideas flowing and growing from one another is crucial in moving biofuels forward rapidly.

Algae is a Win-Win

2008-10-24T11:39:00.000-04:00

It is estimated that many companies, start-ups and investors are pursuing the goal of algae to biofuel. Each company is taking a slightly different approach in regions throughout the United States and indeed the world. The UK has just issued an algae to fuel challenge (http://www.biofuels-news.com/news/uk_challenge.html). With appropriate support, through funding, research and development, and resources, there will surely be successes. But will those successes be simply be cheap, renewable oil from algae? What is the measure of success? From a capitalist point of view, positive cashflow marks success and indeed, no business will operate very long without it. However, the environmental and social benefits offered through the pursuit of algae to oil are vast and difficult to put a dollar value on. The following are a few of the foreseeable and direct benefits: carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) reduction in the atmosphere; utilization of nutrients that contribute to eutrophication (human, bovine, fish farm wastes) and are a wasted resource, therefore a cleansing of waste waters that feed our natural waters; production of biofuel products that produce less pollution than petroleum fuels and set up a carbon neutral cycle; production of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, animal feed and non-petroleum-based fertilizers as potential value-added byproducts; algae production out performs all land-based feedstocks and is not competitive with food crops; decentralize fuel production and distribution; regional economic development and job creation in a new industry; and a renewable source of energy, which offers energy independence. If every company meets with a measure of success, it is a win-win endeavor for all.

NC Marine Biotechnology Symposium

2008-10-16T08:31:00.000-04:00

Alganomics will be participating in first NC Marine Biotechnology Symposium that will be held in conjunction with the International Joint Meeting of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Seafood Science and Technology Society and the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Fisheries Technology Conference on October 19-21, 2008 at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. If you are interested in exploring current issues in algae culturing for biofuels, you are invited for a special one-day program, the North Carolina Marine Biotechnology Symposium, to be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.
Session 1 - Bio-energy: Fuel sources from the sea Moderator Randall Johnson, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
9:00 a.m.
Keynote AddressBiofuels: A civic endeavor now - a sea endeavor soon W. Steven Burke, Chair and Acting President, Biofuels Center of North Carolina and Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
9:30 a.m.
Panel Address and Discussion
Carmelo Tomas, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Kimberly Jones, Alganomics LLC
Michelle Sabaoun, Brunswick Community College
For additional information please see the symposium website - http://www.seafoodlab.cmast.ncsu.edu/sst_aft2008/index.html.

Algae for Alternative Feedstock for Biofuels

2008-10-13T09:14:00.000-04:00

Algae is the talk of the alternative feedstocks for biofuels. With high, year-round growth; no competition with food crops; a renewable resource; the promise of independent energy and environmental remediation of carbon dioxide and excess nutrients, it seems like a no brainer. So what's the problem? Research is just now focusing on how to make this happen in controled conditions, on an industrial scale and in a cost effective manner. Many initiatives worldwide are taking place and very little sharing of information. Alganomics, LLC is a new company that is seeking to apply new technology to this initiative and create a community-based, grassroots effort to make algae a viable alternative feedstock for biofuel. AlgaeLink of the Netherlands and Spain is a company that has been the first to produce closed systems, photobioreactors, for culturing algae on an industrial scale. Alganomics has become an exclusive distributor for AlgaeLink Systems and is in process of applying a system to a wastewater treatment facility at Oak Island, North Carolina. Keep up with our progress at http://www.algaeresource.com/.