[Stoves] [Gasification] Algae Binder

[acparker at xmission.com]

Tom Reed wrote:

"Would they have been looked at yet for making triglycerides for the 
biodiesel that will rescue the world?"

Try <http://www.oilgae.com>.

IIRC, that last time I reviewed the subject, which was sometime in the
last ten years, the major stumbling blocks were: consistency in yield,
and the cost of extraction.  Ah well, nothing is ever simple.  A quick
look at the above reference did not seem to reveal any astounding
breakthroughs, but I haven't had time to look very deep into the links.

If it ever works, it may well be the relatively carbon neutral (assuming
that really matters) solution that will feed our ever increasing need
for energy, especially the liquid kind.

With all these renewable energy ideas, I am always concerned about the
impact both ecologically and economically.  We have seen how ethanol has
impacted world food availability and prices, and I still shudder at the
never ending Rube-Goldberg schemes to cover the land with solar panels
and/or windmills (I think that I would almost prefer nuclear power). 
This algae oil scheme does seem reasonable at first glance.  I will be
very interested to see how it develops.


Andrew Parker