Aurora Biofuels

One of the latest trends in the biofuel industry is using algae as a biofuel feedstock. Aurora Biofuels is in on the trend working to create bio-oil from microalgae, and then converting the bio-oil to biodiesel. They are using technology developed by Berkeley professor Tasios Melis. Aurora predicts that their biofuel process will reduce the cost of biodiesel production by half compared to other existing methods. <br /> <br /> Au... More >>

One of the latest trends in the biofuel industry is using algae as a biofuel feedstock. Aurora Biofuels is in on the trend working to create bio-oil from microalgae, and then converting the bio-oil to biodiesel. They are using technology developed by Berkeley professor Tasios Melis. Aurora predicts that their biofuel process will reduce the cost of biodiesel production by half compared to other existing methods. <br /> <br /> Aurora chose algae to create the next-generation biofuel because it grows very quickly and on marginal land, so it doesn't compete with land needed for food crops. Also, algae produces more bio-oil per acre than traditional biodiesel crops, like corn. Another plus is algae's need for carbon dioxide when photosynthesizing. This is an environmentally process that will reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. <br /> <br /> Aurora seems to have gained great support, and have recently raised $20 million in venture financing. The company plans to expand field operation and optimize the production cycle of growing, harvesting and extracting microalgae for the production of bio-oil. They also want to investigate different strains of algae for discovery of better bio-oil and biofuel yields. <br /> <br /> The idea of algae as feedstock may sound strange, but seems like it could work. If Aurora can perfect their algae production and harvesting, this could be a more economical and efficient process to creating biofuels. <br /> << Less