The 1st European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) Conference and General Assembly meeting of the Association was held in Florence, Italy, June 3-4th, 2009.
However the outlook was not as optimistic as one would like to think, or as optimistic as the US outlook. General indicative timeframes claim that it will take 10-15 years to commercilize algae, the Executive Director Mr. Raffaello Garofalo pointed out that this is in fact indicative and that there is still alot of research to be done, which part of EABA’s mandate. He also went on to say that at present, producing biodiesel from algae costs 10 to 30 times the cost of making biodiesel from traditional feedstocks. By-products it seems are going to be what makes algae oil production viable in the shorter term. Those highly valued products will make the price drop and make algae oil competitive with other feedstocks.
Mr. Garofalo also added that the new association has 54 members representing science and industry and aims to be a platform for creating full algae-based production chain, from biofuels to animal feed to nutrients.
This outlook strongly contrasts with the more positive scenario and assessment made by some US companies who claim they can commercialize in 3 to 4 years.
- Sapphire Energy has projected that it will reach 1Mgy in production in 2011 and 100Mgy by 2018.
- Solazyme has projected reaching 100 Mgy by 2012 or 2013.
- Biofields has projected production in Mexico of 250 Mgy by 2013 based on the Algenol process.
- PetroAlgae has indicated it expects to reach commercial scale production (below 100Mgy) in 2011.
- Aurora Biofuels has projected the development of “$1.30 at the gate” fuel by 2013
Which of the 2 scenarios do you think is more realistic? The US who have been working on algae to oil production since the 1970’s or the EU whose research is much more recent ?
The US have been speeding up their science and technology on algae for oil/biodiesel production and as the Algae Biofuels World Summit concluded in San Francisco on March of this year. The technology is now in place to commercialize algae as fuel it is the patent laws that are holding everything back. Certain companies have perfected certain branches of extraction, harvesting, CO2 sequestration etc, but have patented the technology and are not sharing their discoveries. This is slowing up the process, but within 4-5 years the US should be able to go commercial.
So will it take 2 to 3, 4 to 5 or 10 to 15 to commercialize algae oil?.
What do you think? Please write your views and opinions below, or contact me directly via e-mail by clicking here
Tony Picclo – Aquatic Biofuels Specialist, Rome – Italy
Aquatic Biofuel Specialist
