Algasol Renewables

UIB & Algasol to investigate biofuels from algae

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The company Algasol Renewables and Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) will investigate the production of biofuels with algae and other microorganisms after signing a cooperation agreement yesterday.

The company´s director, Miguel Verhein, emphasized they are attempting to leverage the photosynthetic capabilities of microalgae to produce renewable energy. So, he detailed, the production of liquid transportation fuel will be based on the technology of photobioreactors, in a closed circuit that guarantees the cultures will not be contaminated and allows to grow different species. The expert assured this system can be used in land as in the ocean. Also, Verhein assured the process to make the algae produce the fuel will be “direct and effective”. The director of Algasol advanced he expects to have the ¨first prototypes of cultures in six to eight months”.

Unlike fossil fuels, to generate biofuels with algae has the advantage that it has limitless raw material, indicated the expert. Verhein explained the microalgae reproduce 500 times per day while rapeseed oil takes between 12 to 18 months.

As explained by investigators, another of the benefits of algae is related to the fight against climatic change since these species convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. “With the algae, we are recycling the carbon dioxide and improving environment.” said Miguel Verhein.

On the other hand, the director of the UIB pointed out that this would lead to future agreements specific to other areas of investigation.

The objective of this agreement reached yesterday between the company Algasol Renewables and UIB is to promote the scientific cooperation in the development of technologies directed to the production of biofuels through algae. Also, it is intended to encourage the transfer of technology from the academic institution derived from its investigation and that the results are put into commercial use.

Algasol Renewables participates in the 2010 Lux Executive Summit

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Panelist in biosciences session.

On 25-27 April 2010 Lux Research Inc. is hosting its annual Lux Executive Summit in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, this year under the title "From Innovation to Adoption". Read about the Lux Executive Summit »

Algasol Renewables will participate as panelist in the biosciences section "How innovations in biosciences impact our energy challenge".

Lux Research has recently completed an extensive study on micro algae and has identified the floating PBR technology of Algasol Renewables as one of the most promising technologies for industrial-scale micro algae biomass production.

For more information, please go to Lux Research Inc. »

Algasol Renewables hosts algae biofuel seminar

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100

The world needs to find an alternative fuel!

Crude-oil prices are putting pressure on economic growth, the EU and the US continues to be dependent on imports from unstable regions and CO2 emissions are causing climate changes.

No major breakthrough has been seen yet within the transportation sector, however, this is about to change. Algae are one of the most promising feedstock for next generation biofuels without any impact on food prices, no deforestation and no limitation on availability.

Algasol Renewables has developed a novel and proprietary photobioreactor technology to grow algae at very low cost and will be hosting an algae biofuel seminar on Thursday, 27 November 2008.

If you want to meet the team behind Algasol Renewables and discuss the prospects of renewable energy and particularly algae-based biofuels in Spain and beyond, please contact us by phone +34 971 148 600 or by email info@algasolrenewables.com to receive a personal invitation.

Demonstration of technology to the Balearic Government

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Algasol Renewables demonstrates technology to the Balearic Government.

Over the last months Algasol Renewables has successfully completed a number of “proof of technology” tests. The tests have been conducted with several different reactor materials and under different conditions in order to decide on the final design of the technology. The tests have clearly demonstrated the strong potential of Algasol Renewables’ technology.

At the end of February, Algasol Renewables for the first time demonstrated its proprietary technology externally. The demonstration took place at Algasol Renewables’ lab facilities at ParcBIT, Palma de Mallorca at a private meeting with officials and experts from the Balearic Government.

In line with its active partnership strategy, Algasol Renewables will over the coming months demonstrate its technology to possible strategic partners that can advance the commercialization of its technology.

Why is this the best technology?

Low cost material and design
High biomass density
Optimal light exposure
Maximum scalability
Land or sea

and ...

No supporting structure, efficient temperature control, harvesting facilitator, no dark zones, mechanisms to avoid photo inhibition and weather protection.

Algasol Renewables' objective is to have the world's largest and most cost-efficient algae photobioreactor pilot plant.

Successful launch of new photobioreactor

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Algasol Renewables implements internal aeration system.

During the past months Algasol Renewables has investigated and tested different internal aeration systems for the aeration and stirring of the algae biomass inside the photobioreactor. Many factors have been considered in identifying the final design of the internal aeration system, including economics, efficiency and scalability.

On the basis hereof, Algasol Renewables in September successfully launched a new photobioreactor with a fully integrated internal aeration system. The new internal aeration system has lowered production cost of algae oil with 10% and the results in terms of productivity and biomass density are very promising.

Based on a standard micro algae strain, Algasol Renewables achieved an average productivity in October of more than 60 grams per m2 per day with an average biomass density of more than 4 grams per liter. These results are a significant milestone in the commercialization of its novel and flexible polymer photobioreactor that can be used equally in the sea or in seawater ponds on land.

Algasol Renewables' objective is to have the world's largest and most cost-efficient algae photobioreactor pilot plant.

2010 Global Algae Biofuels Award from Frost & Sullivan

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Frost & Sullivan recognizes Algasol Renewables for its proprietary floating PBR technology.

Based on its recent analysis of the algae biofuels market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Algasol Renewables with the 2010 Global Algae Biofuels Green Excellence in Technology Innovation of the Year Award.

"Algasol Renewables provides a critical and innovative method for micro algae biomass production. Its modular floating bag technology, a new variation of photobioreactors (PBRs), provides a low-cost design coupled with industrial scalability, optimal light exposure, high biomass concentration, low energy consumption, and efficient system control. A key aspect of the technology is its entirely flexible structure utilizing only an integrated density management system to control the position of the PBR in the water."

"Algasol Renewables’ approach is expected to be the pioneer to achieve an economically and environmentally sustainable large-scale algae biofuels production," says Frost & Sullivan Global Program Manager, Transportation Chemicals, Robert Outram. "The company has shown an astonishing entrepreneurial dexterity in introducing a new environment-friendly production system, which could eventually be rolled out across the world."

For more information, please see Press release »

Scale-up of technology and outdoor biomass production

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Algasol Renewables succesfully scales up its technology to semi-industrial sub-unit size.

In Spring 2010, Algasol Renewables moved its biomass producing photobioreactors from the lab to outside ponds and commenced scaling-up its proprietary technology to semi-industrial sub-unit size.

In June, biomass production commenced in two Alga4 PBR sub-units (5 m2 sub-units) equal to an 11x scale-up of the technology compared to the sub-unit size used in the lab.

Outdoor biomass production with outstanding results.

Based on standard micro algae strains, Algasol Renewables has achieved an average productivity in June to August of 50-70 grams per m2 per day and a biomass concentration of up to 12 grams per liter. These results are outstanding and a significant milestone in the commercialization of its proprietary floating PBR technology, and:

Confirms the scalability of the technology, including in relation to securing a sufficient gas transfer to support the algae growth.
Demonstrates that biofouling (commonly observed in PBRs) is not a problem due to the continuous and random stirring of the algae culture.
Provides able evidence that Algasol Renewables' floating PBR technology is the most promising industry platform for low-cost micro algae biomass production.

Algasol Renewables' objective is to have the world's largest and most cost-efficient algae photobioreactor pilot plant.