Bionavitas unveils new light technology to solve algae self-shading, dramatically increase algae yields

In Washington,  algae-to-energy pioneer Bionavitas unveiled its patent-pending Light Immersion Technology that dramatically increases algae yields in a cost-efficient and scalable model. To date, nearly every large scale approach to algae growth has been challenged by a simple fact of nature: as algae grow, they become so dense they block the light needed for continued growth.

This “self-shading” phenomenon results in a layer that limits the amount of algae per acre that can be grown and harvested. The Light Immersion Technology developed by Bionavitas fundamentally changes this equation by enabling the algae growth layer in open ponds to be up to a meter deep. This represents a 10 to 12 time increase in yield over previous methods that produced only 3-5 centimeters of growth.

Light Immersion Technology employs a system of light rods which extend deep into the algae culture.  In external canal systems, the rods distribute light from the sun into the culture.  This abundant and free energy source is ideal for generating large amounts of algae for use as biofuels. In closed bioreactors, the rods evenly distribute more readily absorbed red and blue spectrum light from high efficiency LEDs.  While the LEDs increase the cost of production, algae grown in these systems are used for higher value markets such as nutraceuticals.

“In order to grow algae in the large-scale, cost-efficient manner needed for biofuels, we have specifically designed our technology to require as little energy as possible,” said Bionavitas CEO Michael Weaver. “Light Immersion Technology has all of the attributes needed to allow algae to compete with petroleum. It is designed as a passive, low input, net energy positive system which is inexpensive to mass produce.”

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