Endless oil can be created using Algae?

I wonder what the eco-liberals will think of an unlimited oil supply. lol

Some of these methods could function as carbon sequestering engines as well.

On a side note, I am really (*)(*)(*)(*)ing sick of the word "Boffins"...why do Brits have to go out of their way to gay up ever single term in the English language?

 

It will eventually happen.

 

Theres that pesky Department of Energy again. That needs to be abolished.

 

Startups are doing this, not the DOE.

 

Yes, contrary to popular belief, government is not the only solution to every problem.

 

Let me say from first hand experience that a lot of these startups are not as independent of DOE as righties would like to think. A large portion of them end up clustered around larger DOE research sites, because of the access to world-class scientific and technical talent in the local labor pools. Plus there's usually all the required infrastructure in place for conducting scientific research in the areas around DOE facilities.

That's not even considering the direct stimulus that DOE itself often provides, like subsidizing the development of research complexes for private business use. There's also a hell of a lot of grant money being handed out by the government. To say that these startups are somehow not entangled with DOE and national energy policy is silly. There's a huge amount of crossover, and it's to the benefit of both the private businesses and the government that these relationships develop.

 

There is a remote (i.e. < 5 %) chance that algae will have practical value with regard to making fuel, however and more importantly, it gives the illusion the to public that companies are "going green" (go figure, algae is green). The marketing personnel at BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil are doing their homework.

 

Ummmm - whisters in SS's ear "This is what we have been sprucing for - we WANT this to happen - are skeptical it will but it would be good if we could"

And on the side note - you would prefer the term "nerds"?

 

LOL, its not really green though. The fuel burns just like normal oil.

But it IS infinitely renewable, which is why it is a big deal IMO. This would be key technology for energy independence if it can be made to work on commercial swcales.

LOL, in theory you would think so. But these are still conventional fuels, and pollute just like conventional fuels. Which is why Eco-liberals do not have the boner for them that you might expect at first.

I personally am not that concerned about the pollution. I think other technologies will solve that problem, or at least make it manageable. I am more concerned with energy independence.

How about "scientists"? What the hell does "boffins" even mean? I dont get why Brits feel the need to gay up their language even more. Isnt the accent enough?

 

Please elaborate on why you said this , I could not find anything about the DoE in this story?

 

http://www.sapphireenergy.com/news-article/494843-new-federal-funding-a-major-development

New federal funding a major development for S.D. algae fuel companies

In mid-August, the White House announced that three federal departments were teaming up to invest $510 million in alternative fuel research, with algae as a prime target.

According to at least one of San Diego's algae fuel developers, this investment could have historic ramifications.

"Whenever we've transferred from one source of energy to another, the government has led the way," said Tim Zenk, vice president of corporate affairs for Sapphire Energy in Carlsbad. "It’s a really significant development."

The plan is designed to be a public-private partnership, with funds from the private sector matched one-to-one by the government, meaning the total potential funding could be more than $1 billion. It's part of a push by the Obama administration to reduce U.S. oil imports by one-third by the year 2025.

Algae fuel isn't the only alternative energy that will be receiving funding. The Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and the Navy are all committing to invest the half a billion dollars to retrofit and/or build facilities capable of producing replacement fuels from any non-food crop. This leaves out ethanol, but could include other sources like wood.

 

Just curious but will the stuff be just like regular gas or will there have to be special adjustments needed to accommodate the vehicles on the road today?
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And if they are making an alternative to oil, won't they need refineries to make it worth while? Obviously it will be cleaner and purer than the oil they are using now, right?

 

US Navy demonstrates algal biofuel in military helicopter June 21, 2011

Advantage of biofuels over FFs in respect to CO2 is that the carbon in biofuels are already a part of the carbon cycle, unlike the FF carbon which adds to the carbon cycle.
ETA: A startup's new process could make fuel from algae as cheap as petroleum.

 

death of the petrodollar will not be allowed.

 

Then what the flying f(*)(*)(*) is the hold up. If this will release our dependency on the Middle East, help us stop financing our own enemies, and preserve the environment, (as far as oil exploration goes), why the f(*)(*)(*) isn't the two party system all over this???
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Oh yea I almost forgot, that would throw many of their bosses under the bus and how could they function without the chaos the oil industry causes all over the world, which keeps that money from senseless wars, impending turmoil, and international chaos rolling in.

 

the dollar dies the day oil is not traded on international markets.
Each country producing its own energy kills the trade, and the dollar.

There will be many individuals with bullets in the head before that is allowed.
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Making it commercially viable.

Just because we have the technology does not mean it is practical yet. All technology needs to mature. Some matures slower than others.

You underestimate the power of greed.

I once heard a similar argument against compact florescent bulbs backs in the day. Now they are ubiquitous. Resistance is futile...if there is money to be made, no conspiracy can stop progress. Capitalism ALWAYS wins in the end under a free system.

 

What makes you think energy trade will not still exist? Not everyone will be able to produce this fuel as quickly or easily or cheaply.

 

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Well all we have been hearing for the past 11 years is we need to eliminate our dependency yet we are more dependent than ever.
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Well I have to go along with squid on this. It's not just about the profit, it entails how the profit can be exploited, and of course, who will benefit the most.
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In the mean time the first oil depletion scare was successfully perpetrated, almost 100 years ago, and we still haven't used it all yet. So don&#8217;t underestimate the power of a well executed conspiracy.
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Oh well, when China finds out we&#8217;ll probably become dependent on their new algae farms. This country just isn&#8217;t the innovative leader it used to be.

 

Where will they get all the algae? will they grow it? will the take it from the ocean? what will happen to all the algae eating wild life?

 

They'll grow it on farms.

The United States Department of Energy

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This is bioengineered algae, not wild algae.

 

So what? The fact that the technology has not matured doesnt mean it will never mature.

If people see dollar signs, conspiracys (assuming they exist) will fragment.

If it didnt stop light bulbs, what makes you think oil will be any different?

None of this stuff is secret, and the technology works. Someone WILL exploit it. If the demand gets great enough, it will happen. Its only a matter of time.

 

Sure. Why not.

The Algae in nature will stay in nature. The algae producing oil will be confined to the habitats we create for it to produce oil in.

 

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The DoE started funding studies in the 1970's after that fuel shortage scam, and up until the mid 1990's restricted the majority of the studies to the development of oil. From there the documentation went to university grants, and most of the development to date is based on the information obtained up to 1996. Less and less money is going to the studies, even though everything about it seems to point to it as a most viable substitute for foreign oil.
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Either they are not serious about it, or they are purposely being persuaded to drag their feet to keep the production retarded for as long as possible.
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In any case I am sure that the appropriate patents have been put into place to assure the right people (wink, wink) will be compensated when the time is right.
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This isn't a ground floor operation SS.
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I agree, but to what cost or expense is the gauge that will be used, and at who's demand? You or anybody else try and jump the gun and the lawsuits and regulations put in place by the best government corporate money can buy will be in place so fast it will make your head spin all the way to the bankruptcy court.