By Daniela Sciaky, Ph.D.
Investors contemplating projects in algal biofuels must have noted that, on September 15, 2010 Solazyme announced the delivery of over 20,000 gallons of algal-based renewable naval distillate fuel to the US Navy and the signing of a contract for delivery of an additional 150,000 gallons. The delivery of 20,000 gallons represents a new milestone in production of this type of biofuel. What has made Solazyme so successful and is their process helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Solazyme's process requires heterotrophic growth of algae. Algae are provided with a source of carbon such as sucrose, whereas many companies such as Seambiotic, Solix Biofuels and Sapphire Energy rely on prototrophic growth or use of the photosynthetic process to provide the carbon that the algae rely on for growth.
To understand Solazyme's success we must examine heterotrophic growth and what Solazyme has done to make the process successful. To grow heterotrophically or in the absence of light, algae need to be able to use a source of fixed carbon, usually in the form of sugar. Solazyme has isolated and produced algal strains that are able to use multiple forms of fixed carbon including sugars sourced from cellulose such as corn stover or switchgrass and from the byproduct of biodiesel production, glycerol. Algae grown in the dark are able to grow to extremely high density when compared to algae grown using photosynthesis. The company has also engineered these strains to produce more oil than normal; up to 75% of dry weight.
Most companies attempting to harness algae for biofuel production are depending on the ability of the algae to fix carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2) using photosynthesis. The Solazyme process is dependent on providing an external source of fixed carbon. Does the Solazyme process help reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A study undertaken by Life Cycle Associates, LLC is reported to have concluded that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for Solazyme's Soladiesel™ are 85 to 92% lower than emissions produced by petroleum-based ultra-low sulfur diesel. Also, the biofuels produced by Solazyme result in a significantly lower carbon footprint than the currently (April 2009) available first-generation biofuels.
Affirmation of Solazyme’s process came from the US Department of Energy that in January awarded Solazyme over $21 million for a pilot-scale biorefinery to demonstrate the heterotrophic algal oil manufacturing process and validate the process’ commercial scale economics.
Solazyme's process requires heterotrophic growth of algae. Algae are provided with a source of carbon such as sucrose, whereas many companies such as Seambiotic, Solix Biofuels and Sapphire Energy rely on prototrophic growth or use of the photosynthetic process to provide the carbon that the algae rely on for growth.
To understand Solazyme's success we must examine heterotrophic growth and what Solazyme has done to make the process successful. To grow heterotrophically or in the absence of light, algae need to be able to use a source of fixed carbon, usually in the form of sugar. Solazyme has isolated and produced algal strains that are able to use multiple forms of fixed carbon including sugars sourced from cellulose such as corn stover or switchgrass and from the byproduct of biodiesel production, glycerol. Algae grown in the dark are able to grow to extremely high density when compared to algae grown using photosynthesis. The company has also engineered these strains to produce more oil than normal; up to 75% of dry weight.
Most companies attempting to harness algae for biofuel production are depending on the ability of the algae to fix carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2) using photosynthesis. The Solazyme process is dependent on providing an external source of fixed carbon. Does the Solazyme process help reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A study undertaken by Life Cycle Associates, LLC is reported to have concluded that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for Solazyme's Soladiesel™ are 85 to 92% lower than emissions produced by petroleum-based ultra-low sulfur diesel. Also, the biofuels produced by Solazyme result in a significantly lower carbon footprint than the currently (April 2009) available first-generation biofuels.
Affirmation of Solazyme’s process came from the US Department of Energy that in January awarded Solazyme over $21 million for a pilot-scale biorefinery to demonstrate the heterotrophic algal oil manufacturing process and validate the process’ commercial scale economics.
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