THE CHALLENGE

Algae can be phenomenally productive, much more so than other biological sources for transportation fuels. While representing the only real solution to replacing fossil fuels, algal cultivation is currently very expensive and cost prohibitive. Our challenge is to create technological solutions to lower the cost of algal growth and oil extraction.

Two general categories of systems exist today: (1) Large open air ponds and (2) closed photobioreactors. Although open systems are considered the lowest cost option, they suffer from massive amounts of evaporative water loss and increased difficulty in species control. Closed systems allow greater species control and reduce water loss. However, closed systems are generally considered more costly to build and operate and also suffer from significant heat build-up inside the bioreactors.

Both types of systems suffer from dilute culture conditions which lead to significant harvesting costs. Additionally, high oil extraction costs are an issue for both types of systems.