5-06: Technical breakthroughs in achieving commercial scale on smaller footprints

Microalgae has gained attention as a viable source for food, fuel, fertilizers, cosmetics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals due to its ability to grow rapidly and in a variety of conditions, including waste water.  Cost of production has been a key challenge to commercialization.  Many cost models hypothesize cost viability by using an economy-of-scale with large footprints.  The corresponding capital investment for large footprints creates a high risk hurdle for project investment.  Results from an alternative hybrid reactor technology platform will be discussed which permit attractive economics on small footprints.  Heliae has started construction on a 20-acre parcel which will economically and concurrently grow multiple strains.