Presenting at National Algae Association

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

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.

NC Biotech Infrastructure

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