Algenol produces low-carbon and price-competitive biofuels from algae, sunlight, saltwater and waste CO2.
Algenol is commercializing a technology that creates ethanol and other fuels from algae. At the company’s facilities in India and Florida, their process allows algae to convert sunlight, seawater and waste CO2 into sugar much faster than through natural photosynthesis. The waste CO2 is sourced from other industries. Through fermentation, the sugar is converted into ethanol and biomass, which is further refined to green gasoline, jet fuel and diesel.
Production facilities are located on non-arable land close to the sea. The biofuels are therefore produced without competing for land suitable for food production and without contributing to fresh water consumption.
Why you should care
Transportation accounted for 22% of global CO2 emissions in 2011. Algae-produced biofuels have the potential to make greener, price-competitive fuels from abundant resources. The energy yield of the process is up to 20 times that of ethanol made from corn, according to Algenol. Fresh water scarcity is another critical issue challenging the globe, and Algenol claims that for every gallon of fuel they produce, 1.4 gallons of fresh water are also created.
How the Global Goals are addressed
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Algenol’s production facilities recycle CO2 from other industrial processes into biofuels, showing how a low-carbon economy can be developed between industries.
Responsible Consumption and Production
Algenol’s biodiesel can be produced for $1.30 per gallon, compared to the cost of normal diesel at $2 per gallon in the USA, shows that responsible consumption need not come at a cost premium.
Climate Action
The US EPA determined that ethanol produced from the Algenol process resulted in a 69% reduction in greenhouse gases emissions when compared to conventional gasoline.
Algenol
Algenol is an industrial biotechnology company that is commercializing patented algae technology for production of ethanol and other fuels.
Global Goals addressed