Making Green from Blue (Algae)

Today’s alternative energy entrepreneurs may still be early-adopting pioneers, but the the weight of the federal government is rapidly catching up. Nowhere is this more visible than the push for algal fuels - biodiesel and comparable fuels made <a href=entirely from the digestion processes of algae. Two years ago, algae-baed fuel production was just starting out. The industry was speculative, and a few venture capitalists dominated the field. Now the Department of Energy is releasing a $57 million tidal wave of funding for 33 small businesses specializing in alternative fuel production, among them algal biodiesel and algae-based jet fuels for the Pentagon.

Algae is just one of many potential investments for the forward-thinking venture capitalist. Some bioengineers are even aiming for the holy grail of the so-called “Third Generation Biofuels” - producing ethanol from algae without damaging the algae itself. With fewer environmental and economic problems than corn-based ethanol, the case for hard-working algae is beginning to grow on America’s policymakers.">
Today’s alternative energy entrepreneurs may still be early-adopting pioneers, but the the weight of the federal government is rapidly catching up. Nowhere is this more visible than the push for...
Related Topics:
Biofuels, Government & Military, Transportation

Today’s alternative energy entrepreneurs may still be early-adopting pioneers, but the the weight of the federal government is rapidly catching up. Nowhere is this more visible than the push for algal fuels – biodiesel and comparable fuels made entirely from the digestion processes of algae.

Two years ago, algae-baed fuel production was just starting out. The industry was speculative, and a few venture capitalists dominated the field. Now the Department of Energy is releasing a $57 million tidal wave of funding for 33 small businesses specializing in alternative fuel production, among them algal biodiesel and algae-based jet fuels for the Pentagon.

Algae is just one of many potential investments for the forward-thinking venture capitalist. Some bioengineers are even aiming for the holy grail of the so-called “Third Generation Biofuels” – producing ethanol from algae without damaging the algae itself. With fewer environmental and economic problems than corn-based ethanol, the case for hard-working algae is beginning to grow on America’s policymakers.

How do you move the planet forward?
Submit Story
Tags:
algae, biofuel, fuel

Get the Newsletter

Get inspiring stories to move the planet forward in your inbox!

Success! You have been added to the Planet FWD newsletter. Inspiring stories will be coming to your inbox soon.