What do you think of the new process created in the US to turn algae into green diesel/fuel?

Question

How amazing is that? Finally someone is making an alternative that is not damaging (unlike the bio fuels from corn etc...)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-greencrude29-2008may29,0,1053218.story

Answer 1

It's really awesome.  They can grow it vertically so you can produce a ton of fuel from a small amount of land.  It also doesn't require much water or fertilizer or pesticides, and has the potential for huge production levels.

Answer 2

If we can get to 100,000 gallons / acre / year like the dude on youtube says he can

a few counties in Nevada would end our need for crude oil.

Answer 3

now heres something, probably no one is going to think of at first ... you could make this stuff yourself, the refining process is well documented, and algae (corn too for ethanol, etc.) unlike oil, is renewable, growable, not as limited as oil, so supply can eventually meet demand much better than oil.

it just comes down to the length and efficiency; of the growth cycle of the algae, the extraction process, and the refinement process.

you won't need to "strike oil" anymore

Answer 4

Great news for pool owners.

Answer 5

I think it's basically the same as the one for corn. Any life form has a certain amount of lipids in it. Algae and fungus farming for industrial use has been a very big research topic for decades. What they don't mention is that algae is still basically a plant they are growing and still needs fertilizers. so there is still some negative impact, but far less than that of an oil rig.

Answer 6

I found it very interesting--especially if it can work on a commercial scale.  It would be great for small, localized production as well--a refinery could have its own algae facility, and you wouldn't have to change the existing distribution infrastructure.  Besides, anything that can reduce your dependence on foreign sources of crude is worth investigating, especially given the political climate of some oil-producing nations.

Answer 7

That is a great idea. That is a major save. I am shocked. That is so amazing. When algea gets rid of things it helps the environment and provides diesel/fuel. That is truely amazing.