by Debra C.
Member since:
April 19, 2007

Algae as the Next Energy Option?

August 12, 2008 04:30 PM EDT
views: 41 | rating: 9.7/10 (6 votes) | comments: 18

 

 ZDNet has a video segment of the AlwaysOn Summit at Stanford University, where Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Bill Green of Vantage Point Venture Partners, and moderator Awais Khan of KPMG discuss current and future uses for algae.

 

This may or may not seem viable at present, but given the algae infestations in China and the Great Lakes recently, it begs the question, "Can we harness this resource, on a sustainable basis, as part of our energy alternative plan? And if so, what are the ethics of this kind of genetic manipulation?"

Your thoughts .... ?
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Comments: 18

Mary Ann S. Aug 12, 2008, 4:32pm EDT
So long as we can get it without harming the environment. We are fussy here in Michigan about what they do to our Great lakes
Debra C. Aug 12, 2008, 4:36pm EDT
Fussy now ... it wasn't always that way. Actually, I expect they might need to harvest it in an area with a more year-round growing season.
Richard B. Aug 12, 2008, 6:53pm EDT
Yes that can be done, as can oil be made out of raw sewage, however it will take some energy to do that and currently it's about a wash.
Debra C. Aug 12, 2008, 7:15pm EDT
Part of the trick is to "intend" enough to find a way that moves it from break-even to positive energy development.
Richard B. Aug 13, 2008, 9:28am EDT
yes Debra, and some day that will be able to be done.
Sarah (I want points) Aug 13, 2008, 1:07pm EDT
Interesting... I don't think anyone's working on that, but maybe...
J R B. Aug 14, 2008, 1:44am EDT
I believe we have enough different sources of oil. We are working on different solutions, right now.
Debra C. Aug 14, 2008, 2:41pm EDT
I hope you are right, JRB, though it seems we have a lot of people who are only interesting in opening more areas to oil drilling.
Mary G. Aug 14, 2008, 3:43pm EDT
They can come to California, as we have a year round growing season and there are a lot of ponds with large amounts of algae. I'm having serious troubles with one of my ponds.
Debra C. Aug 14, 2008, 5:00pm EDT
Mary -- How many vehicles do you think you could power?
William Dotani Aug 15, 2008, 4:14am EDT
I read a scientific report on this. The problem is getting enough to make a biomass fuel.
Debra C. Aug 15, 2008, 9:10am EDT
That is the current challenge, William.
Mary G. Sep 27, 2008, 11:48pm EDT
Its been over 90 degrees and I have seen a lot of algae this year. We have had a lot of record breaking days for 2008. I don't know how many cars we could power, but this is the year that it should be considered. The last few years we are having a lot higher temperatures and I don't remember the last time there was rain.
Debra C. Sep 27, 2008, 11:56pm EDT
It would seam possible to raise algae easily with the warming as you said, Mary.
Mary G. Sep 30, 2008, 11:37pm EDT
In the morning, I am going to post blooming waterlilies, as my area has a year round warm season. One area I'm looking at is lighting, as we have lots of sun, so want to put in solar lights.
queen.susan . Oct 4, 2008, 8:51pm EDT
I think it CAN be done.
Alison H. Jan 26, 2009, 1:09pm EST
Just heard a program on NPR about fungi and mushrooms last night.

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