National Algae Association, Algal Biomass Organization conclude landmark meetings

The National Algae Association and the Algal Biomass Organization concluded their fall meetings, where 750 leaders gathered from more than a dozen countries to discuss advances in science, engineering, policy and commercialization.

Vinod Khosla keynoted the at 2008 Algae Biomass Summit in Seattle, stating that “I am here today because I believe algae can be a solution. I’m convinced someone here will break the code. The exciting part is to see over 600 people in this room solving the problem. In fact, someone out there may have already solved it and I just don’t know yet.” A call to action for the algae industry to form a lobbying organization was among the Seattle highlights.

“It’s basically the new petroleum,” said Robert Morgan, chief technology officer at PhyCO2, speaking at the National Algae Association meeting in Houston, while Glen Kertz, chief executive of Valcent Products, warned that “The availability of venture capital money right now has just dried up.”

Will Thurmond, director of research and development at the National Algae Association and Biofuels Digest columnist, noted that the cost of producing algae oil was $3,000 per gallon in 2006, but will reach $20 a gallon by year-end, and will reach parity with petroleum-based fuels within several years.

Among other presenters in Seattle, the University of Texas showcased what it termed the largest collection of algae species in the world. UT is competing with other institutions for up to $50 million in research funds from the Department of Defense to develop jet fuel from algae.