The Miracle of Gas From Algae Isn't Panning Out
Last year, the idea that diesel fuel could be created using algae was all over the news. Unfortunately, the effort can only work on a very small scale that makes no sense, says Jonathan Marshall of PG&E.
Dozens of biotech companies were hot on the idea, but skeptics -- and a new report produced by UC Berkeley -- say that the technology won't work on a large scale.
Marshall writes, "The report estimates that with current technology, a 250-acre algae biofuels plant would need to sell its oil at $332 a barrel to break even-a price that would make even OPEC green with envy (pun intended)."
The technology isn't a complete waste, says Marshall, because it can be used for bioremediation.
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Published on Sunday, November 7, 2010 in
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