Maui to Get Algae Facility for Biodiesel
Recognizing the potential for algae as an energy crop, a Hawaiian conglomerate has come together to pursue the joint development of a commercial-scale microalgae facility on Maui to produce lipid oil for conversion to biodiesel and other products, such as animal feed.
While a number of factors still need to be put in place before the first phase of the program can begin, the anticipated start date could be as early as 2011.
“This innovative partnership can help move Hawaii one step closer to securing energy independence and achieving our goal of having 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean sources by 2030,” said Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle.
Hoping for very high levels of oil production per acre from algae, Maui, which currently fuels about 85 percent of its combustion generation with petroleum diesel, could meet the biodiesel feedstock need with the Ma’alaea algae facility when combined with other locally grown vegetable-oil crops, such as jatropha or palm.
This innovative step is being spearheaded by HR BioPetroleum, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALEX), Hawaiian Electric Company and Maui Electric Company, subsidiaries of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HE).
“As we move toward siting an algae facility next to Maui Electric’s power plant, we will meet more of our energy needs at home and also reduce our carbon footprint,” said Dr. Karl Stahlkopf, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president for energy solutions and chief technology officer. “This project entails some uncertainly. Stepping forward to be a first implementer of a new idea always does.”
“However, it unites the best of the new Hawaii high-tech industry with two long-established Hawaii infrastructure companies in a unique partnership. We have good reason to be confident it will be a step toward energy self sufficiency, not only for Hawaii but for the nation and the world,” Stahlkopf said.
How inspiring to hear! Hawaii is particularly vulnerable, in terms of energy, having had little to no local energy source generation capacity. Sugarcane based ethanol comes to mind, they have a lot of wild grown, after it became less profitable to sell. More places aside from this should look into such a thing.
I LOVE this article. It not only is a little ray of hope to our ever increasing energy costs, but also proves that we as Hawaiians, are not just a bunch of goof offs, living their lives in the sand and surf. KUDOS!!
John K
I would think that Hawaii has a high potential for geothermal. It would be nice to hear that they are maximizing that resource.
Algae grows great in methane digester effluent. I would identify all possible sources of biogas feedstock, such as recycled food processing, restaurant and kitchen scraps, sewage, manure from dairy farms, poultry farms, and livestock operations, landfill and agricultural biomass waste, etc…Put all this stuff in local digesters, extract the biogas-methane to generate electric power or to supplement natural gas pipelines (natural gas is basically standardized methane). Then feed nearby algae farms on the nitrogen-phosphorus CO2 rich digester effluent. When you are harvesting the algae, fractionate it with ultrasound. Make biodeisel out of the algae oil; make ethanol out of the algae starch; and make livestock feed out of the remaining protein. Thus, you will exploit your waste products to produce power, liquid fuel, and feed - Localization of Energy.
I am struck by the potential of algae as a biofuel. Previous attempts at biofuel production have been something of a hoax as a “green” alternative, since they promote unsustainable agricultural practices that degrade topsoil and overuse fertilizers and pesticides (read more). I imagine the mass production of algae might have some ecological consequences, but it seem like it has the potential to be a much friendlier fuel than corn ethanol or other biofuels.
Congratulations Maui Electric and Alexander & Baldwin!
The announcement of Maui’s 1,000 acre algae farm is great news for Maui and great news for the world. To end the tyranny of oil in our time, a rapid development of algae energy is the clear choice. HR BioPetroleum, A&B and Maui Electric deserve praise for going fast forward with the only sensible way of developing biodiesel. This is one of the first algae farms in the entire world and the commitment to a 1,000 acre size is a very bold and decisive move at a time when most of America and Hawaii are still trying baby steps towards clean energies.
It takes bold steps now, that Hawaii spends $7 billion a year on oil, up from $5 just a year ago. To put that into perspective, we are spending $2 billion more this year and for a 1.2 million population that averages out to $1,666 per head.
After analyzing Maui’s clean energy options for the last 10 months, I strongly believe that large algae farms are our best option to stop using oil by 2020 and become the first self sustainable island in the world.
Here are some numbers. Optimistically, micro algae will generate 10,000 gallons of biodiesel per acre per year. Burned in Meco’s generators that creates 0.2 million kWh. To feed the Ma’alea plant, 5,600 acres of algae fields are required. Add a similar size to fuel Maui’s gasoline needs and the algae farm will still fit into the sugar fields left of Mokulele Highway. It would replace over $600 million in oil imports, a sum that is higher than the entire county budget.
While it is too early to determine the cost of this operation, comparing it to the similar automated sugar production suggests a price of around 20 cents per gallon of biodiesel and one cent per kWh of electricity. This means nothing less than the end of Global Warming, terrorism and oil wars and the beginning of a new age of global prosperity.
I wish Maui Electric, A&B and HR BioPetroleum the most of success. Godspeed!
Chris Mentzel
CleanEnergyMaui.com