Techno-economic analysis: Algae Cultivation

How do algae experts assist in techno-economic analysis (TEA).  TEA is the combination of conceptual process design and production cost estimation activities. Algae cultivation refers to the growth and recovery of algal biomass in open ponds or photobioreactors. Many algae strains of interest produce oils that may be used as food or nutraceuticals, or upgraded to fuel-range hydrocarbons. Techno-economic analysis is generally carried out by a chemical process engineer with relevant experience. For algae cultivation, this may include aquaculture, solid/liquid separation, piping network design, and earthworks design. A successful TEA requires an expert with proficiency in (and access to) flowsheet simulation software and capital cost estimation software.

Techno-economic analysis consultants may assist developers with plant design and simulation, equipment selection and sizing, capital cost estimation, and cost-of-consumables estimation. They can help developers communicate a technology’s commercial potential to investors and prioritize research areas with respect to economic impact. On the investor side, they may assist with due diligence activities including independent review of heat & material balances.

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 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 video about LEC here.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.