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Joule Bio's patented bugs turn sunlight into biodiesel
You might have heard about harnessing the power of algae to make biofuels, but the team at Joule Biotechnologies decided started from scratch — by redesigning the organisms themselves.
They genetically engineered organisms that use photosynthesis to directly create the molecules that form the basis of diesel. Their SolarConverter array system suspends these organisms in a solution within a light-permeable structure that looks something like a solar panel array. Point these arrays at the sun, and the critters turn carbon dioxide and sunlight into biodiesel. They expect their first plant to be online by 2011.
Unlike traditional biofuels, like ethanol, the SolarConverter requires no farmland to grow the corn or other feedstock. In fact, the sunnier and more "useless" the land, the better.
Beyond fueling long-distance trucks, you could picture this system sitting beside large-scale solar farms or wind farms. Joule-biodiesel-powered generators could provide the green energy needed to cover the times of day when the sun doesn't shine and wind doesn't blow.
By Neotyguy40 at 3:56 PM ON 11/15/09
I am confused... Does biofuel give of carbon emissions? Because if so, we might as well go with solar and wind...
By robcoe at 4:27 PM ON 11/15/09
Biofuels do give off carbon dioxide however with this system the ammount of CO2 released will be either largely or completely(depending on the growing requirements of the alge) offset by the fact that since they are plant based and therefore get most or all of their carbon by pulling CO2 from the air
By cogadh at 8:25 PM ON 11/15/09
The idea is this method of producing diesel will have a net carbon increase of zero, or "carbon neutral" as the talking heads like to say. Standard diesel and other fossil fuels put carbon into the atmosphere that wasn't there in the first place, it was buried deep in the ground, hence producing a net increase in carbon.
By Brass Orchid at 1:44 AM ON 11/16/09
This is great. Next we'll be looking at cannabinoid oils raised on scrub land. Carbon neutral is sort of ridiculous, though. Is this really the time that science has all the answers and isn't acting on primitive religious superstition? Have we finally turned that corner and walked out of the tunnel of deep woods branches and into the light? I would seriously doubt it. For all our stumbling about in confusion, though, this does look like a step in the right direction.
By Mr. Gumsandals at 9:08 AM ON 11/16/09
Love its simplicity. Making it available (and affordable)
for homeowners would be wonderful.
By nicholasjh at 11:31 AM ON 11/16/09
I wonder if it is more effeciant then solar cells and if the little bacteria will die out and how stable they are.
By bactide at 4:44 PM ON 11/16/09
Looks like people are doing this in their backyard!
By bactide at 4:46 PM ON 11/16/09
By Oil Skeptic at 5:40 PM ON 11/16/09
The theory of algae biodiesel is great. I wonder what is the real life cost. If the biodiesel cost from $1 to $2 a gallon, then this would be a revolutionary development. However a lot of these high tech research project produce biodiesel that costs from $33 to $100 a gallon. I wish them luck, but until they can produce a low cost product I will not feel excited.
By Spyderman at 7:48 PM ON 11/16/09
I like the idear and have some spare land to put the plant on, so bring it on.
By biofriend at 10:06 AM ON 11/29/09
Check it out,could be interesting,is for sale: www.biodieselnews.net
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