What Can Algae Do For the US?

By Lance Winslow
Renewable Energy
Is it possible that in the future we will use biofuel, biodiesel, and fuel made from algae too? Right now, 8% of our fuel use is biofuel, and if we could double that in the next 10 years, that it would be over 15%. Can we do that by growing algae and turning it into fuel for aircraft? There are many scientists and researchers, and several very high profile DOE funded projects, all of which believe it is possible. Yes, that could be a good day for America.

There was an interesting article in Forbes (from the AP) titled; Boeing Hopes Aviation Biofuel Market-Ready by 2015" by George Tibbits published online on February 15, 2011 which stated;

Boeing Co. hopes aviation biofuels will be practical for the market by around 2015, but it's going to take a lot of work. Richard Wynne, Boeing Commercial Airplane's director of environment and aviation policy, told reporters Monday that the company is working with others throughout the industry toward having 1 percent of all aviation fuel come from non-petroleum sources by then.

There was another article in the Wall Street Journal on the same day titled; "Biodiesel Boom Catches Drivers in Grease Traps - Fry Oil Scavengers Lose Free Rides to Paying Rivals" by Jeffrey Ball. Talk about recycling and reusing, that's the spirit!

Interestingly enough, I have met a scientist working with algae as a vitamin supplement and his company was also considering growing algae, which could later be converted into biofuel. Indeed, they had a lot of experience over the last decade creating this algae, and with a few refinements, and using the correct enzymes, they should be able to turn that into fuel fairly easily.

Right now, the science is just making it into the field now, and soon we will have everything we need to grow our own algae for biofuel, and read some of the goals that the Department of Energy, FAA, NASA, the Boeing company, and the Obama Administration has set for America. The Department of Defense is also looking into algae biofuel for the future, and whereas, this might not be significant, the amount of research going into growing algae, and the enzymes to break it all down could be very good for America, even if it doesn't turns out to not be all that great for the US military.

Therefore, if we do wind up depleting our fossil fuels, it appears we have the technology to make our own biofuel in the future. Indeed, I'd like you to spend a few hours searching around the Internet and learning more about how algae can help the United States, and change the way we get the fuel that drives us around. Think on it.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. WorldThinkTank.com - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

Article source: EzineArticles.com

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