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<h2><font size=4>Recently the list wandered off into space
exploration. Assuming some on this list are interested in
'green' beyond building I'm using this as an excuse to go a bit off-topic
and draw your attention to the exciting topic of using algae for
bio-sequestration of coal-fired power station emissions.<br><br>
I belong to an Australian group called the Alternative Technology
Association.and at our February branch meeting in Melbourne we heard a
presentation from a company called MBD Energy
(<a href="http://www.mbdenergy.com/" eudora="autourl">
www.mbdenergy.com</a>). Don't go there until you look at the
presentation slides (link below).<br><br>
MBD is a small company by US standards and there are companies in the USA
spending billions on algae. According to MBD their emphasis
is more on GM algae for fuel production whereas MBD think the more
important products are food for people, animals and fish farms.
Recently on a visit to China the speaker said the Chinese were not
interested in oil but in food for aqua-culture. Has MBD been able
to supply they were offered an immediate order for a million tons a
year.<br><br>
Apologies for going off-topic<br><br>
Lance<br><br>
<br>
</font><b>Topic: CO2 to energy: The Power of Algae</b></h2><b>Convenor:
Peter Wonfor<br>
Guest Speaker: Tony St. Clair</b> (Agri Business manager at MBD Energy
Ltd.)<br><br>
<b>meeting description:</b> The Sustainable Production of Fuel and Food
Using Algae to Capture and Convert CO2 Emissions.<br><br>
Tony St. Clair treated us to an insight into the vast potential of algae
not only to provide oil, eminently suitable for biodiesel production and
high quality protein meal for animal feed, but also for significantly
reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from industrial plants including
fossil fuel power stations. A win-all-round scenario all as a result of
the photosynthesis power of algae.<br><br>
Tony described the range of algae strains and their preferred
environments that are currently available and the processes by which the
desired results are achieved. He also outlined the exceptional efficiency
of algae as a means of Biological Carbon Capture and Storage for CO2 and
the production of oil.<br><br>
We also heard about the success of pilot plants and the status of 1Ha
(10,000 m2) proof-of-concept plants located at coal-fired power
stations.<br><br>
<b>Discussion:</b> This presentation generated a lively and spirited
discussion both during and after the session. A lot of the discussion
centred on the ultimate “Capture and Storage” outcome of the technology.
One strand of the argument pointed out that many of the products finally
re-release their CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. In this sense, the
process does not capture the emissions in the long term. The other strand
of the argument pointed out that the products still serve the legitimate
role of reducing emissions that would otherwise have been generated twice
over. <br><br>
This was a very interesting and stimulating session, with some good
spirited discussion.<br><br>
<b>Presentation:<br>
</b>Click
<a href="http://www.ata.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sustainable_algae_production_presentation.pdf.pdf" eudora="autourl">
http://www.ata.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sustainable_algae_production_presentation.pdf.pdf</a>
for Tony’s presentation slides<br>
(the double pdf is not an error).<br><br>
<br><br>
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