SubsidyEye

Algae Biofuel Sustainable Markets: Stocks to Benefit

I agree with Long_on_oil: in the biofuels world there is a vast difference between technical feasibility and economic feasibility. Journalists and bloggers need to be asking questions about the latter and not just the former.

The articles about the planned algae-fuelled power plant in Venice, Italy are long on hype and short on details:

ecoworldly.com/2009/03.../

First the articles say that "Italy recently announced a 200 million euro eco-friendly project TO HARVEST the prolific seaweed that lines Venice’s canals and transform it into emissions-free energy." [My emphasis.] Then the article says "The algae will be cultivated in laboratories and put in plastic cylinders where water, carbon dioxide, and sunshine can trigger photosynthesis. The resulting biomass will be treated further to produce a fuel to turn turbines."

Well, which is it, folks? Will the algae be harvested, dried, and then combusted as a solid fuel? Or is it going to be cultivated, and then treated (i.e., oils extracted?) so that it can be used as a fuel in gas turbines?

I'll believe this one when I see it.