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World Experts and Energy Users Join Forces to Harness Huge Potential of Algae to Address Global Energy, Environment, & Economics Priorities

Group announces second annual Algae Biomass Summit to be held in

Seattle, October 23-24, 2008

 

SEATTLE, May 29, 2008 – Entrepreneurs, academicians, scientists and leaders of global corporations have today announced the formation of the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), whose charter is to help accelerate the development and commercial application of algae biomass.  Algae have shown significant potential to address some of the world’s most pressing issues, including climate and pollution concerns,  alternative fuels and global economic development.

As one of the fastest growing and most productive plants in the world, the unique characteristics of algae enable them to be developed for a number of uses.

• Renewable Fuels: Algae are an ideal low cost, renewable and environmentally progressive raw material that can be converted into biofuels.  They can grow rapidly (doubling in biomass in as little as a few hours), require limited nutrients, and can annually deliver up to 2,000–5,000 gallons of fuel per acre of non-arable land.
• Environment: Algae do not require fresh water to thrive and so they will not compete for limited supplies of fresh water.  In addition, they can also be used to clean wastewater and to recycle greenhouse gases such as CO2, NOx and SOx.  As the algae grow, they can be harvested and converted to next- generation biofuels.
• Economic Development: As developing nations continue to look for ways to spur economic development, algae-based industries can be a central part of an overall strategy. Many developing nations currently import nearly 100 percent of their fuel. An algae-based energy strategy provides a way to either reduce oil import costs, create fuel/feedstock export revenue, or both without competing with food crops.

Recognizing the tremendous potential and benefits of algae, over 400 leading experts and proponents of algae biomass gathered for the world’s first Algae Biomass Summit in November 2007.  Based on the overwhelming enthusiasm of the group and a growing need to find viable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, attendees agreed to form the Algal Biomass Organization to collectively push for algae-based energy solutions.

 

Summit attendees elected the following members to a Steering Committee responsible for organizing and developing the ABO:

• Billy Glover and Darrin Morgan, The Boeing Company (committee co-chairs)
• Thomas Byrne, Byrne & Company, Ltd (committee secretary)
• Mark Allen, A2BE Carbon Capture
• Dr. John Benemann, Benemann Associates
• Dr. Keith Cooksey, Montana State University
• Tyler Krutzfeldt, Mont Vista Capital
• Dr. Greg Mitchell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Dr. Phillip Pienkos, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

“Given the social, economic, and environmental possibilities for algae, and the growing number of companies, technologies and products being developed to address them, it is becoming increasingly important to harness their potential  for use across multiple industries now,” said Billy Glover, managing director, Environmental Strategy,  Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and ABO steering committee co-chair.

“Boeing recognizes that algae biomass holds tremendous potential for use as jet fuel, and it fits into our plan to guide aviation toward commercially viable and sustainable fuel sources – fuels with substantially smaller greenhouse gas footprints that do not compete with food or require unacceptable quantities of land and fresh water resources,” he continued.

The association is opening membership to any parties interested in this evolving area of research, development and potential commercialization. 

The ABO is a non-profit association, with only modest membership fees that will offset operating expenses. Membership information also is available at the organization’s website, www.algalbiomass.org

The group will gather for the 2nd Annual Algae Biomass Summit in Seattle October 23-24, 2008.

About the ABO

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for the development of commercially-viable transportation and power generation fuels as well as other non-energy applications for algae biomass. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algalbiomass.org

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