No. I am not angry at anyone to start the name calling. All idyllic summer vacations and refreshing splashes into cool ponds are totally ruined by algae that float on the surface of the pond. The disgust of the sight and the smell has earned pond scum a seat in the name calling hall of fame. But wait…

Researchers at energy companies like Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, and Shell, are taking note of the energy-producing potential of algae. It turns out that some strains of algae can be very good at making, collecting and storing fats in their cells. This algae fat can be harvested and turned into a diesel like bio-fuels.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado has an active project which has narrowed over 3,000 strains of algae down to 300 for their bio-fuel potential. Al Darzins, NREL biomass researcher and Manager, Applied Sciences Group, said, "It's true that with the current high price of petroleum, a lot of people are exploring the lipid-producing capabilities of algae. In addition to the major oil companies, there are probably at least 100 small firms around the globe working to bring algae-based fuel products to market."

Royal Dutch Shell, one of the world's largest distributors of first-generation bio-fuels, has made a move into next-generation bio-fuels, this time going green with algae. The oil giant has formed a joint venture with Hawaii startup HR Bio-Petroleum to build a pilot facility to grow marine algae, producing vegetable oil for conversion into bio-fuel.

The economics of higher priced petroleum has clearly changed the picture for possible algae based fuel production. As Darzins points out, "This is a very exciting field; it's going to grow exponentially over the next few years."

So, it may be time for us to re-examine our attitudes about pond scum. But you will not catch me starting a pond in my backyard on a quest for bio-fuels.

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Our blog is available for your thoughts and messages. We are posting messages as news becomes available during each month. You can find our blog from the Leadership page on the left side. Or the direct link is http://www.telebright.blogspot.com.

Tech Council of Maryland
Clean and Green Tech Conference
Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD 20814
8:00am - 4:30pm - October 2, 2008
Sponsor and Exhibitor

CECConnect
Central East Coast Conference
Ocean City, MD
October 19 - 22, 2008
Guest Speaker, Chet Thaker