Bay area one month trial diesel/algae biofuel began last week

The Daily Journal (San Mateo)/The Associated Press, 11/15/12. "Bay Area drivers first with algae biofuel."

"Drivers in the San Francisco Bay Area have become the first motorists in the nation to fill up their gas tanks with an algae-based biofuel. The fuel, known as Biodiesel B20, went on sale Tuesday at gas stations in Berkeley, Oakland, Redwood City and San Jose as part of a month-long pilot program. 

"Algae biodiesel - tremendous potential for next-generation green energy."

Biodiesel B20 is made from 20 percent algae and 80 percent petroleum, and can be used by any vehicle that runs on diesel. Advocates say it is the first in a wave of clean fuel to hit the marketplace.

....   The fuel’s algae was grown by South San Francisco-based Solazyme Inc.and already has been used in trials by the military and industrial companies. 

It was sold for about $4.25 a gallon at the Redwood City station, about the same as the average price for diesel fuel in California. Officials say a decision will be made on whether to continue offering the biofuel after the pilot project."  Read article.

Reference - South San Francisco-based Solazyme, Inc. . Fuels "Global demand for alternative fuels is expanding due to population growth, increased attention to energy security, and environmental policy mandates. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency set 2011 renewable fuel standards volume requirements at 1.35 billion gallons of advanced biofuels. And the U.S. Navy's goal is to operate at least 50 percent of its fleet on clean renewable fuel sources by 2020. Achieving this objective will require a significant use of biofuels. There's also a growing market for tailored oils to compete against other biofuel sources, such as soy oil in Brazil and rapeseed oil in Europe."

Related - Algae biodiesel graph and statement from Partha Das Sharma's weblog, "Keeping world environment safer and greener."

Posted by Kathy Meeh