Slated for commercial release in the first half of 2012, the Algae Appliance provides a low energy, chemical-free, continuous flow ‘wet harvest’ system, with the potential to remove up to 90 percent of the initial water volume. Field testing will begin soon with select partners who have current or near-term large volumes of algae for harvesting. Interested parties should sign up at www.algaeappliance.com .

Larry Sirmans, Technical Director of OriginOil’s key Australian partner MBD Energy, observed: “This Algae Appliance should be very beneficial to producers and researchers who are developing the most efficient processes for growing algae at commercial scale.”

“We are continuing to scale up our technology at MBD’s pilot site in Australia,” said Bill Charneski, OriginOil senior director of product engineering. “Now, everything we have learned is going into a standardized entry-level system to help the worldwide algae industry meet the high demand for sustainable, low-cost algae production.”

Charneski introduced the new Algae Appliance today at the 4th Algae World Asia conference in Beijing, China. The new system is modular and incorporates low-energy, chemical-free concentration. Optionally, the system can also ‘crack’ the microscopic algae cells for downstream processing needs. Energy requirements are extremely low, at about 0.002 kWh to process 10 liters per minute, the Algae Appliance’s middle range of performance.

“Our Algae Appliance can process as little as two liters per minute, which is perfect for a small research installation,” said Ken Reynolds, OriginOil’s vice president of marketing. “But it is versatile enough to handle up to ten times that rate, serving capacities of 100,000 liters and more. And of course we’ll make it easy for our customers to upgrade all the way to production scale.”

“With algae-based fuels now being used in commercial aviation and in the military, there is tremendous pressure on our industry to deliver much lower-cost, high-volume algae products,” said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO. “The Algae Appliance is expected to answer this demand, and drive the eventual licensing and distribution of our technology worldwide.”

About OriginOil, Inc. ( www.originoil.com )

OriginOil helps algae growers extract oil from algae for use as a feedstock for the commercial production of transportation fuels, chemicals and foods. In a single step, our breakthrough technology efficiently dewaters and breaks down algae for its useful products, overcoming one of the greatest challenges in making algae a viable replacement for petroleum. As a pioneer and the emerging leader in the global algae oil services field, OriginOil supports its core algae extraction technology with an array of process innovations for some of the world’s most successful algae growers and refiners, just as pioneers like Schlumberger and Halliburton have done in the oilfield services industry. To learn more about OriginOil(R), please visit our website at www.originoil.com .

The two countries formed a “Green Growth Alliance,” under which they will collaborate on developing eco-friendly technologies and adopt joint action plans, when President Lee Myung-bak visited Copenhagen in May.

A broad range of initiatives will encourage a shift to biomass in the power plans of major cities, increase consumption of renewable energy, and promote more efficiency energy use. Initiative include biomass and biogas, wind power, intelligent energy networks, energy efficiency and research, development and demonstration activities.

(Source: Korea Times, 28 June 2011)

Korea is now a fast mover in the biomass industry. The Korean Government unveiled a $38 billion ”Green New Deal” plan to stimulate job creation and revitalize the economy. The plan involves 9 core projects and 27 rotating projects which are expected to create 960,000 new jobs during 2009-2012. The Korean Government has also committed to a fiscal investment of 2 percent of GDP per year for the implementation of the five-year plan.

Under the ambitious “Energy Strategy 2050” policy roadmap, Denmark aims to be fully independent of fossil fuels by 2050. Being a role model for Korea, as well as in taking the path toward a green economy, Denmark is a key market in the biomass world.

2nd Biomass Pellets Trade Asia, to be held on 7-8 September in Seoul, will explore the possibilities of exporting biomass in Asia to feed Europe’s growing demand. Sessions featuring Europe’s experience and technological prowess are also included in this 1.5 day event in Korea.

Click here to see Europe related topics and speakers or email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for more information on registration.

Hence it presents golden opportunity to hear from, question & interact with the more than 100 participants confirmed coming to Townsville, Queensland! Here’s a quick look at who’s attending…

Delegate Profile

Act NOW if you do not want to miss out on being at this exciting event. Contact Huiyan at 65 6346 9113 or huiyan@cmtsp.com.sg for last minute registration.

Source: Biofuel Digest, June 21, 2011 (http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2011/06/21/evodos-centrifuge-reaches-positive-energy-balance-for-algae-dewatering)

Algae World Australia will assemble – under one roof – expert panelists who are committed to sharing with you frank insights and useful information on:

• Algae project developments
• Successful business models and
• Exciting upcoming opportunities in the algae sector

We’re talking about leaders in the algae industry like Mr. Marco Brocken, CEO of Evodos B.V.

At Algae World Australia in Queensland, you will receive the latest “insider” information straight from Mr. Brocken himself. All algae that MBD Energy produces are harvested with Evodos’s harvesters. Straight form the start.

Mr. Brocken will explain why MBD Energy has chosen for Evodos as their workhorse for harvesting. He will address the advantages of harvesting the algae alive as a completely dewatered paste and without chemicals. Insight will be given to the energy balance, that is highly positive. You will hear – first hand – the low cost per metric ton harvested and the path to harvesting on industrial scale.

Mr. Brocken will accompany you to the optional site visit at MBD Energy where he can spend more time with you on a one to one basis if desired.

That is just the tip of the iceberg!

At Algae World Australia, top Algae experts from across the globe will be joining Mr Brocken. They will be sharing their perspectives on other key issues central to the commercialization of your algae project.

Sounds exciting? Then 16-17 Aug 2011 needs to be marked on your calendar! Also, do remember to register for the site visit to MBD-JCU Algal R&D Facility to make the most out of this forum.

Why not sign up for Algae World Australia now and confirm your seat early?

We’ll send you a reminder closer to the date!

Picture: Mr L. Sirmans, Technical Director of MBD Energy next to one of his Evodos harvesters

Written by Bioenergy expert, Pöyry, “Pellets are Coming to Asia” examines the evolving biomass markets dynamics as Asia’s demand for biomass looks set to increase from 2012 onwards.

If you are…

• a biomass producer, aggregator or wood-pellets/chips marketers
• a fuel purchaser for biomass-based power generation or co-firing plants
• seeking valuable insights and/or expanding your business network  for your next bio-energy project
• interested in discovering financing options in the biomass value chain

Then you would want to DOWNLOAD this COMPLIMENTARY “PELLETS ARE COMING TO ASIA – A Strategic Position Paper”

The concise paper provides an overview on:

• Current State of Global Business and how the market will look like in 2015?
• Asia market’s attractiveness & prospects in project development
• Industrial wood pellet market dynamics & expected economic performance
• Economic applications of biomass in energy production
• Roadmap for a sustainable bio-energy industry
• Review of (in-pipeline) co2 emission related policies
• Cost competitiveness of pellets supply from different regions

PLUS, this must-read paper will be a vital guide for presentations featured at the 2nd Biomass Pellets Trade Asia.

You can now download it at NO COST! Just fill up the form below and check your in-box for our reply email with further instructions.

The firm spent 460 billion won ($420 million) for the plant which will be completed by August 2013. GS EPS currently operates two other power facilities there. The new 400 megawatt-facility boasts eco-friendliness and high-efficiency as it consumes less fuel than existing LNG combined cycle power plants and thus emits less carbon, GS EPS officials said.

“Through the construction of the plant, GS EPS aims to become a leading power provider in Korea. The facility will be an eco-friendly one which minimizes emission amid global climate change,” GS EPS CEO Lee Wan-kyoung said at the event. In addition to its domestic operation, GS EPS has been stepping up efforts to expand its offshore business. GS EPS has launched the construction of a biomass power plant in Shandong, China earlier this month and is planning to begin a clean development mechanism business, a kind of carbon trading, there. (Source: The Korea Herald, 20 Apr 2011)

Scheduled to take place in Seoul, Korea on 07-08 September 2011, 2nd Biomass Pellets Trade Asia will bring together an international panel of experts including speakers from PT Trenergy Biomasse Indonesia, Plantation Energy Australia, Pinnacle Pellet Inc., Georgia Biomass, Control Union, POYRY, APAC Commodities, Global Green Synergy Sdn Bhd, plus more!

A major highlight at this event is a Post Conference Workshop on 8 Sep 2011 on Torrefaction Technology for Biomass, with special focus on Non-Woody Biomass.

The program is being finalized & will be uploaded online shortly. For more information, click here to submit enquiries or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg to pre-register your interest now.

Recognizing Thailand’s potential, China-based solutions provider DP CleanTech has opened an office in Bangkok, after successful development of many biomass power plants in China, and more in the works. “DP CleanTech has identified Thailand to be the next major market in its rapid rollout of biomass power systems in Southeast Asia,” the company’s website says.

Viaspace is working with about five companies in Thailand that are interested in growing and using its trademark biomass feedstock, Giant King Grass, as a cheaper alternative to pricier materials available there now.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event which attracted over 120 participants, the Biomass Pellets Trade Asia marks its return on 07-08 September 2011, this time in Seoul, Korea. Among the program highlights will be expert comparisons on the availability & competitiveness of wood pellets versus alternative sources of biomass feedstock (Palm Kernel Shells (PKS), Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB), Rice Husk, Miscanthus, Sugar Bagasse, plus many more.

The agenda is currently being finalized & will be available shortly. To request for more information or to pre-register your interest now, send an email to Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg. Otherwise, click here to submit enquiries on speaking and/or sponsorship opportunities.

The plant, funded by the department of science and technology, Government of India, will be the first government-funded bio-diesel plant in Uttar Pradesh.

Established in the Biotech Networking Facility Center, run by the state’s department of science and technology near Bakshi Ka Talab area of Lucknow, the basic aim of the plant will be to train farmers by giving them first hand-experience in bio-diesel production. The facility can also be used by farmers who do large-scale jatropha farming to extract diesel from the oil.

“The plant is not a production unit, but rather a demonstration unit, which will enable farmers to know how to extract jatropha oil and then convert it into diesel for their usage,” said BL Meena, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has granted Rs 24 lakh for the one-time establishment of the plant. The state government has agreed to bear the expenses of running the establishment, including manpower and other infrastructure, she said.

(Source: Indian Express, March 20, 2011)

Jatropha’s rise in Asia as a promising source for bio-diesel has been given a boost in countries such as India. With increased emphasis on sustainability alongside recent innovations for optimizing jatropha yields quality & mechanical harvests, more governments are recognizing the potential of jatropha as a viable alternative feedstock option.

What are the latest developments in effective large-scale jatropha commercialization and cultivation methods? How will the global industry be shaped by new sustainability standards? Experts at the JatrophaWorld Asia 2011 will provide answers to these issues and more. Due to convene in Hainan Island, China, on 27-28 June 2011, the conference is the 7^th in the industry-setting series.

The program is being finalized & will be uploaded online shortly. For more information, click here to submit enquiries or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg to pre-register your interest now.

Specifically, he shared on large-scale seaweed (macroalgae) aquaculture and bio-ethanol production. Said Dr Kraan:

“…recent growth in green technologies has changed the political and scientific arena and seaweed aquaculture is starting to become a mainstream activity for value added ingredients and potentially bioethanol production.

The global demand for biofuels continues unabated.  Driven by high prices, rising concerns over environmental pollution and global warming, and the movement to alternate fuels, the world bioethanol market is projected to reach 126 billion litres per annum by the year 2012.

However, the demand for bioethanol needs to be balanced by the problems associated with the supply of the raw material feedstock.”

At 3^rd AlgaeWorld Europe Dr Kraan will examine seaweed cultivation technologies available and economic aspects of using brown seaweeds for bio-ethanol production, as well as feasibility of biofuel production from seaweed and direction European seaweed aquaculture should advance towards for success.

For more information on the program, click here. Or send any questions on registration to Ms. Huiyan at huiyan@cmtsp.com.sg.

scenarios for this [Algenol’s] proposed ethanol production process, using process simulations and thermodynamic calculations. They found that, on a life cycle basis in comparison to gasoline, the direct to ethanol technology can provide a 67% to 87% reduction in carbon footprint on an energy equivalent basis for initial ethanol concentrations (given in weight percent) ranging from 0.5% to 5%.

(Source: Green Car Congress, 25 October 2010)

Algenol Biofuels’ Direct to Ethanol technology is based on an intracellular photosynthetic process in cyanobacteria that produces ethanol that is excreted through the cell walls, collected from closed photobioreactors as a dilute ethanol-in-water solution, and purified to fuel grade ethanol.

Algenol were awarded a $25 million US-DOE grant to build a pilot-scale biorefinery that will make ethanol directly from carbon dioxide using hybrid algae. They are one of only 19 companies (and one of only 3 algae companies) to be selected for a biorefinery grant.

Their innovative technology attracted the interest of Dow Chemicals, who partnered with the company to construct a $50 million pilot algae biofuels plant in Freeport, USA. The plant will be located with Dow’s existing chemicals complex, and will supply CO2 as well as land for the pilot algae facility. Dow wants to use algae to produce ethanol, which can be converted to ethylene, a major building block for high value chemicals. Traditionally, natural gas are used as feedstock for ethylene production.

We are happy to announce that the Managing Director of Algenol Switzerland GmbH, Mr Dirk Radzinski, has confirmed his participation as a speaker at the 3^rd Algae World Europe conference. He will talk about the company’s state-of-the-art technology: Direct Ethanol Production from Algae.

Mr. Radzinski will be joined by other leading algae specialists and innovators, please click <here> to view the program agenda.

Contact Ms. Huiyan at huiyan@cmtsp.com.sg with any questions, or click here to reserve your seat.