Florida’s potential as a industry leader in algal biofuel is huge. The Center for Marine Bioenergy Research was just established in March at Florida State University through a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Energy.   Mike Wetz heads up the center, which is under the umbrella of our friend Dave Cartes‘ Institute of  Energy Systems, Economics and Sustainabilty (IESES).

With our coastline, it only stands to REASON that Florida should be be a leader [in algae biofuel production] in the eastern U.S., Cartes said.

Of course FSU isn’t the only state university in Florida involved in bioenergy research (although news from  University of Gators Florida hasn’t been fully explored).  All eleven state universities make up the Florida Energy Systems Consortium - collaborative  energy research among the universities. They met in May with industry leaders for a Florida overview of the “Algal Industry Survey” conducted in association with the Centre for Management Technology.

Algae culivation ~ PetroAlgae

The reports’ findings – less than perfect:

1. Secrecy amongst companies in the field that leads to a lack of information sharing between affiliated scientists
2. Lack of rigorous assessments of the entire algal biofuel value chain (i.e., from production to distribution
3. Lack of trained workforce.

[As a guest blogger for the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy's blog, Clean, Mike Wetz posts this overview of marine algae biofuels].

FSU researchers are developing a state-of-the-art algal cultivation operation at a site on the North Florida coast, which includes an off-grid, zero emissions facility that utilizes recycled CO2 (from the processing of algal biomass) and nutrients (from local wastewater sources) to support algal growth.  Since this unique operation will be run by an academic institution, a major goal will be to work towards overcoming problems noted in the aforementioned state of the industry report.

[NOTE:  Not all details of next month's meeting are solified - a team of industry and state university academia is being put together now - UPDATE later]

Although the state of the industry report may seem mediocre,  Florida does have a number of established algal biofuels companies. Melbourne, Fla.-based PetroAlgae, for example, is a publicly-traded biofuels industry leader. The company received the Sustainable Energy Technology award  at the international Green Power Conference held in Brussels, Belgium this past March.

PetroAlgae is an important player in the state,  said Wetz. I have good interactions with them.

BUT OF COURSE – California also has plenty of coastline AND top-notch research universities …

Asked about California’s progress in algal biofuels, CARTES REPLIED:

We have unique capabilities in FLORIDA. We don’t NEED to go to California to find our expertise.

GAME ON!!

- k. a.gardner

“Green Cities™ Florida was held May 20-21, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center South Concourse Building, and offered a highly interactive, outcome-based portfolio of workshops presented with practical steps and specific plans for participating in the growing $400 billion green economy.

www.greencitiesflorida.org

“State and national experts in green government, business, and technology provided practical tools, case studies, and resources.  Speakers’ shared vital information that is driving today’s new green economy and moving Florida towards a sustainable future.”

John Adams, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, led a break-out discussion group exploring the challenges and opportunities in building Florida’s clean energy industry - not only in renewables, but  supporting technologies [energy- efficient building services and products; manufacturing and distribution]. The conference was well-attended  and Adams noted a keen interest in all cross-sections of  clean business opportunities.

Renewable energy technologies include  biomass, biofuels, geothermal,  solar,  wind; and emerging ocean research and development.

Click here for more information on at the State of Florida’s Clean Energy Industry Cluster from Enterprise Florida.

-k. a. gardner