Algae Biofuels

Algae fuel, algal biofuel, or algal oil is an alternative to liquid fossil fuel, that is derived from the fast-growing algae plants. Compared to higher plants, algae can grow faster such that some species can double in size within 24 hours. The oil yield from algae is between 10 and 23 times as high as the other oil-yielding crops.  For example, algae biomass generates 15 times more oil than other plant sources including corn, soybean, sunflower, etc. Algae biomass can be cultivated in saltwater and wastewater and is being continually explored to produce ‘drop-in’ biofuels such as bio-jet fuel. Algal biofuels are known to have better fuel performance and reduced air emissions (particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and NOx) compared to fossil fuels. Since 2008, several leading airlines have conducted trials with algae-based aviation fuel.

Biodiesel, biobutanol, bio-ethanol, bio-gasoline, biopower, green diesel, and sustainable aviation fuels are some examples of fuels that can be made from algae.  A variety of other high-value products are also produced from algae.  These include nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.  Several companies and government agencies are currently funding efforts to reduce capital and operating costs and make algae fuel production more commercially viable.  Like fossil fuels, algae fuels do release CO₂ when burnt, but unlike fossil fuels, algae fuels and other biofuels only release CO₂ recently removed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis as the algae or plant grew, however a ton of algae production requires around two tons of CO2 – thus making it far less harmful. An algae biofuels expert has the knowledge and experience of methods and processes (cultivation, harvesting, and conversion) required for producing the target products of value noted above.

Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in biofuels and renewable fuels, and the more common areas like biomaterials, biomass and biomass power, feedstocks, and biotechnologies.  In these larger consulting groups, one may also find very specialized expertise like catalytic valorization, carbon intensity, polymer recycling, FSMA compliance, cogeneration, combined heat & power, formulation chemistry, cannabinoids, solvents, sludge, solid-state fermentation, soil amendment, solid recovered fuels, RFS2, carbon fiber, GMPE, Polymer Pyrolysis, Polypropylene, fuel additives, biopharmaceuticals, renewable technology, oilseed processing or water treatment.

Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) offers a wide range of services in biofuels, biochemicals, biotechnologies, biomaterials, synthetic biology commercialization, feedstocks, and hemp/cannabis.  The company has business and financial services like due diligence, feedstock availability, grants and loans, and bio market research.  The company also offers technical and engineering-related services like techno-economic analysis, environmental evaluations, feasibility studies, risk analysis, and expert witness engagements.   The company also has strategic partnerships in place to assist clients with insurance, legal, accounting, plant fabrication, feedstock procurement.   With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting also has experts in anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid-state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag-biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen.   This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one-stop-shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.

Look at our 150+ experts and the services we provide.  Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full-service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact.  See a video about LEC here.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.