A single-cell oil well? 

July 30, 2009

Researching the potential of algae-based fuels

Can algae someday make the fuel that fills the tanks of our cars and trucks?

It’s a question that could make a difference to our energy future and our environment. And today, two U.S. companies are making a major new effort to help find the answer.

Scientists already know that certain algae produce oils that can be converted into diesel and other fuels. What we don’t know is whether we can make affordable, large-scale quantities of algae fuel.

That’s why ExxonMobil has teamed up with Synthetic Genomics Inc., a California-based biotech firm, in a long-term project to research and develop next-generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae. Founded by genome research pioneer Dr. J. Craig Venter, SGI is a leader in genomic-based energy and environmental solutions.

Our goal is to produce a commercially scalable, renewable fuel that is compatible with today’s gasoline and diesel.

Why algae?  Biofuels made from algae could be transported and used like today’s conventional fuels, therefore avoiding the expense of creating an extensive new infrastructure.

Algae-based biofuels also have potential environmental advantages.

Algae absorb carbon dioxide — the main greenhouse gas — and convert it to useful products, like oils and oxygen. As a result, algae fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, while today’s biofuels made from plants like corn and sugar cane are an expanding energy source, they impact global food supplies by requiring fertile land and fresh water. Algae production has no such requirement and could yield more than three times more biofuel per acre compared to other biofuel sources.

If research and development milestones are met, we expect to spend more than $600 million on this project.

Meeting the world’s long-term energy needs while also protecting the environment will require integrated solutions that include developing all economic energy sources. In the years to come, oil and natural gas will continue supplying the majority of our energy because they are scalable, affordable and versatile. But alternatives and next-generation fuels — like those made from algae — could play important roles.

Getting algae fuel from the lab to the local gas station will be a tremendous undertaking — one that could require decades of work by experts in engineering, chemistry, biology and an array of other scientific fields.

But if our efforts to turn these single cells into “oil wells” are successful, algae-based fuels could help meet the world’s growing energy demand and help reduce emissions.