Bruce at algae-energy.org's Groups
Bruce at algae-energy.org's Page
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- Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?
- No
- Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:
- I set up the website, algae-energy.org, that promotes the investigation and future commercialization of algae biomass as a sustainable source for biofuels and other useful products that will not be in competition with food crops. I also have a special interest in the biofuel generation capabilities of cyanobacteria, cellulosic ethanol technologies, and the Doty Energy process for using wind, water, and waste CO2 from coal fired power plants to produce easily transportable liquid fuels such as ethanol.
I am especially encouraged by the algae production technology demonstrated by Green Star Products. Their Hybrid Algae Production System incorporates the desirable, controlled environment of the sophisticated but expensive, closed photo bioreactor systems while using inexpensive construction technology to reduce the capital costs to a level very close to that of the affordable open pond systems. Evaporation of water and contamination of the system by tramp algae species are minimized.
Transportation fuel, such as biodiesel, is a very low value added commodity. Therefore, in order to be successful, I believe the algae-to-fuel process needs to incorporate many of the following elements in a fairly complex, profitable, agri-business operation.
Algae typically produce up to 50% vegetable oil, which can be converted into biodiesel. They also produce carbohydrates, which can be fermented to produce ethanol that can also be used for transportation fuel. Algae also produce high concentrations of organic protein, which can be used to produce animal feed and other high value added products.
The CO2 from the ethanol fermentation operation is fed back into the algae cultivation process to enhance the algae growth. In addition, compressed or liquified CO2 exhaust gas produced by a regional coal-fired power plant is transported to the site and used to further stimulate growth. The excrement from the on-site animal population (chickens, hogs, fish, etc.) is fed back as a nutrient to facilitate rapid growth. It is also used to produce biogas, which consists largely of methane that can be used as a transportation fuel. Solar, geothermal, or wind energy can be utilized, as appropriate, to supply the electrical power needs of the facilities.
The entire ecologically benign operation is approximately carbon neutral or perhaps even carbon negative.
If proven commercially feasible, many large 'Algae Agri-Business' facilities will need to be constructed throughout the country as close as practical to urban centers to minimize transportation costs.
- What excites you about this campaign?
- I believe energy independence is absolutely critical to the economic future and national security of the USA. Mr. Pickens has a workable plan that will help move us toward this goal and is providing much needed leadership in promoting its acceptance, both in congress and with the general public.
I support Renewable Energy Payments (REP) legislation. REP laws obligate utility companies to buy electricity from renewable energy sources, including individuals, farmers and small businesses, for a fixed period of time. With established fixed payments, the once volatile renewable energy projects now become attractive for financing, thus stimulating growth and innovation. REP's put everyone on an equal footing with large energy corporations. They provide an incentive to enterprising individuals and businesses for doing something beneficial for the environment, while compensating the utilities directly for the added costs. Everyone using the utility's services shares in the cost of the program through the normal billing process, just as they will all eventually share in the resulting enhancements to our environment, economy and national security.
I am generally not in favor of protective tariffs. However, because of our urgent need to develop alternative energy sources and establish energy independence, I believe Congress needs to enact a conditional tariff on imported oil. This tariff should guarantee that manufacturers in the USA will not pay less than a specific price, eg. $75 per barrel, on imported oil used for producing fuel for transportation or heating applications. The tariff should also cover imported, petroleum derived fuels in a financially equivalent manner. This will allow long term investments to be made in our domestic, sustainable energy infrastructure without fear that global economic downturns, such as that experienced in 2008, will reduce the price on oil to a level that will abruptly stop our work on alternative energy sources. A similar effect occured in the mid 1980s when OPEC dropped the price on imported oil following the shortages and dramatic price increases we experienced in the 1970s. Any funds generated by the tariff should be designated for use in alternative energy research or implementation.
I support legislation mandating that 100% of the new cars produced in the U.S.A. be flex-fuel capable to help reduce our reliance on petroleum based fuels. This will allow us to make maximum use of the various alcohol (methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol) fuels that will be produced from sustainable sources.
I support "Energy Independence US Treasury Saving Bonds" This plan resembles our successful WWII War Bond Program and creates $25 Energy Independence Saving Bonds. At the start of the program, the bonds could be categorized as W-wind, S-solar, H-hydro, T-transportation, and C-COOP. The purchaser chooses the specific Renewable Energy project in which to invest.. Thus, individual citizens can 'vote' as much and as often as desired with their hard-earned dollars on those technologies they believe have the best chance for delivering practical, economical energy solutions for our society. Energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an 'electronic checkout' functionality could allow purchase of a bond of $25 or higher value. The website could limit the quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project could be made available. A civilian oversight committee should monitor the functioning of the program.
I especially like the Renewable Energy Payments and Imported Oil Tariff methods for helping fund our sustainable energy future because they are largely 'industry neutral'. That is, they do not require the government to pick 'winners'. Instead, they let the market decide which of our exciting new 'green' energy technologies makes the most financial and scientific sense and then direct the funds in proper proportion to those technologies. This eliminates a lot of the wasted time and misappropriated capital that is so often involved with government projects.
I am generally not in favor of protective tariffs. However, because of our urgent need to develop alternative energy sources and establish energy independence, I believe Congress needs to enact a conditional tariff on imported oil. This tariff should guarantee that manufacturers in the USA will not pay less than a specific price, eg. $75 per barrel, on imported oil used for producing fuel for transportation or heating applications. The tariff should also cover imported, petroleum derived fuels in a financially equivalent manner. This will allow long term investments to be made in our domestic, sustainable energy infrastructure without fear that global economic downturns, such as that experienced in 2008, will reduce the price on oil to a level that will abruptly stop our work on alternative energy sources. A similar effect occured in the mid 1980s when OPEC dropped the price on imported oil following the shortages and dramatic price increases we experienced in the 1970s. Any funds generated by the tariff should be designated for use in alternative energy research or implementation.
I support legislation mandating that 100% of the new cars produced in the U.S.A. be flex-fuel capable to help reduce our reliance on petroleum based fuels. This will allow us to make maximum use of the various alcohol (methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol) fuels that will be produced from sustainable sources.
I support "Energy Independence US Treasury Saving Bonds" This plan resembles our successful WWII War Bond Program and creates $25 Energy Independence Saving Bonds. At the start of the program, the bonds could be categorized as W-wind, S-solar, H-hydro, T-transportation, and C-COOP. The purchaser chooses the specific Renewable Energy project in which to invest.. Thus, individual citizens can 'vote' as much and as often as desired with their hard-earned dollars on those technologies they believe have the best chance for delivering practical, economical energy solutions for our society. Energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an 'electronic checkout' functionality could allow purchase of a bond of $25 or higher value. The website could limit the quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project could be made available. A civilian oversight committee should monitor the functioning of the program.
I especially like the Renewable Energy Payments and Imported Oil Tariff methods for helping fund our sustainable energy future because they are largely 'industry neutral'. That is, they do not require the government to pick 'winners'. Instead, they let the market decide which of our exciting new 'green' energy technologies makes the most financial and scientific sense and then direct the funds in proper proportion to those technologies. This eliminates a lot of the wasted time and misappropriated capital that is so often involved with government projects.
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