The document discusses the potential for using algae as a source of oil for fuel. It notes that algae naturally produces an oil similar to petroleum that can be extracted and used as fuel. Researchers are working to genetically modify algae to produce more oil that can be harvested on a large scale. Using algae for fuel would be carbon neutral and could potentially reduce CO2 emissions. It also would not require changes to existing fuel and transportation infrastructure. The document argues algae has better scaling potential than other renewable sources due to its easy growth conditions and high oil yields per acre.

1. Oilgae:
The Possibility of Growing Oil
John Winters

2. Auto Emissions and the Green House Effect
•According to the USEPA:
“A gallon of gasoline is
assumed to produce 8.8
kilograms (or 19.4 pounds)
of CO2.”
•Through aggregating fuel
emissions and average miles
driven the average vehicle is
estimated to produce 5.48
metric tons CO2 equivalents.
http://www.epa.gov/OMS/climate/420f05004.htm#step1
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/stro5c0/public_html/greenhouse_effect.jpg

3. Auto Emissions and the Green House Effect
http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=ntn/12-1
http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=US-FlowChart&view=100
World Wide Approximately
10.8 % of Green House Gas
emissions come from
automobiles.
In the United States 21.6 % of
Green House Emissions come
from automobiles.

4. Possible Solutions … Algae
•Algae naturally produces an oil similar to petroleum, if this oil can be
extracted it can be used as a fuel source the same way petroleum is.
http://www.krisweb.com/krissheepscot/krisdb/html/krisweb/stream/algae.jpg
The oil can be extracted
through the physically
through compression or
chemically through
interactions with
solvents or osmotic
shock.
Oilgae.com

5. Ongoing Research
•The synthetic genomics institute is currently developing the process of
genetically modifying algae to continually produce oil.
•According to Dr. James Venter the goal is to “trick algae into pumping
more lipids out” so that mass quantities of oil can be harvested and used as
a fuel source.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/business/energy-
environment/14fuel.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1259899249-
ff%20GuSG7sxjzxTNvxXPG9A

6. Benefits – CO2 Reduction
Guaranteed to be carbon neutral
and can be negative if the excess
algae is sequestered.
http://www.filthylucre.com/algae-biofuel
Algae can use carbon dioxide and
nitrous oxides as nutrient sources.
Algae could potentially be “fed”
the waste from a fossil fuel based
power plant to reduce the amount
of CO2 released into the
atmosphere.
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061026/061026_algae_hmed_7a.
hmedium.jpg

7. Benefits – Energy Independence
The US is currently the largest importer
of oil, most of which is used for
transportation.
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/News/2007/4/PublishingImages/800px-Oil_imports.png
http://lugar.senate.gov/graphics/energy/graphs/US_oil_use_by_sector.gif

8. Scalability
•Unlike most other potential renewable energy Oilgae has a much larger
scaleability, or potential to become a dominant energy source.
•Easy Growth Conditions
•Minimal Land Use
•High Efficiencies
2,000 gallons of fuel per acre of
production each year, compared with 650
gallons for palm trees and 450 gallons for
sugar canes. Corn yields just 250 gallons
per acre a year
http://www.electricitybook.com/algae-biodiesel-2/algae-valcent1.jpg
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/business/energy-
environment/14fuel.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=125989
9249-ff%20GuSG7sxjzxTNvxXPG9A

9. No Infrastructure Change
•Unlike other proposed fuel
reforms Algae Oil would not need
to overhaul the existing fuel
infrastructure.
•The fuel could be distributed by
the same network of gas stations
and used by the same cars.
http://www.civilianism.com/futurism/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hydrofillingstation.jpg
Oilgae.com

10. What we can do
•Raise awareness
•Know the consequences of
actions
•Not use our countries
economic status as a excuse
http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=ntn/7-3

11. Sources
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Emission Facts: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical
Passenger Vehicle.” Pollutants and Programs. Accessed Feb 2010.
http://www.epa.gov/OMS/climate/420f05004.htm#step1
• Online Digital Education Connection. “The Problem with Plovers: The Green House Effect.” Accessed Feb 2010.
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/stro5c0/public_html/index.htm
• World Resources Institute. “GHG’s from Transportation.” Climate Indicators Analysis Tool. Accessed Feb 2010.
http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=ntn/12-1
• World Resources Institute. “U.S. GHG Emissions Flow Chart” Climate Indicators Analysis Tool. Accessed Feb
2010. http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=ntn/12-1
• "Control Algae Growth in Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums." Dog, Cat, and Pet Care Tips, Health and Behavior
Information by Veterinarians. Accessed Feb 2010. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+2154&aid=1642 .
• Mouawad, Jad. "Exxon to Invest Millions to Make Fuel From Algae." The New York Times, June 13, 2009.
Accessed Feb 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/business/energy-
environment/14fuel.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1259899249-ff%20GuSG7sxjzxTNvxXPG9A
• Oilgae. "Biodiesel from Algae Oil - Oilgae - Information, News, Links for Algal Fuel, Alga Bio-diesel, Biofuels,
Algae Biofuel, Energyy” Accessed Feb 2010. Oilgae.com.
• “ Biodiesel from Algae Oil - Oilgae - Information, News, Links for Algal Fuel, Alga Bio-diesel, Biofuels, Algae
Biofuel, Energyy”. Accessed Feb 2010. ht http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/biod/biod.html
• Service, Robert. "ExxonMobil Fuels Venter's Efforts To Run Vehicles on Algae-Based Oil." Science 325, no. 5939
(2009): 379. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/325/5939/379-a (accessed November 1, 2009).
• Filthy Lucre. “Is Algae Biofuel (Oilgae) the Answer?” April 9, 2008. Accessed Feb 2010.
http://www.filthylucre.com/algae-biofuel
• MSNBC. “Algae Fuel”. Accessed Feb 2010. http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/
Photos/061026/061026_algae_hmed_7a.hmedium.jpg
• Richard G. Lugar. “US Oil Use By Sector.” Published through United States Senate from United States Energy
Information Administration. http://lugar.senate.gov/graphics/energy/graphs/US_oil_use_by_sector.gif
• Resource Investor. “Oil Imports.” Accessed Feb 2010.
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/News/2007/4/PublishingImages/800px-Oil_imports.png
• Electricity Book. “Algae Biodiesel.” Accessed Feb 2010. http://www.electricitybook.com/algae-biodiesel-2/algae-
valcent1.jpg
• Civiliamism.com. “Hydro filling Station.” Accessed Feb 2010. http://www.civilianism.com/futurism/wp-
content/uploads/2009/07/hydrofillingstation.jpg
• World Resources Institute. “Income Per Capita and GHG Emissions.” Climate Indicators Analysis Tool. Accessed
Feb 2010. http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=ntn/7-3