Hawaii's Energy Future

Renewable

Energy Sources

Algae

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

> In October 2011, Hawaiian Electric reached an agreement with Phycal, Inc. for a supply of biofuel derived from algae for testing at Kahe Generating Station. The agreement calls for delivery of 100,000 to 150,000 gallons of algae-based biofuel meeting Hawaiian Electric specifications by April 2014, subject to approval by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, 9/30/11.

Hawaiian Electric and Phycal expect a subsequent agreement for up to three million gallons per year for three years for a full-scale demonstration project to build upon the anticipated success of the algae-based biofuel testing at Kahe. The biofuel will be provided at a fixed price not tied to the price of fossil fuels.

> Microalgae, massive project, 6/12/10

Background

For years, researchers have been interested in a truly green fuel source: microalgae. Companies across the nation are already working to transform algae into a viable fuel source. Often confused with seaweed, which falls into the category of macro algae, microalgae contains high amounts of the necessary fatty oils called triacylglycerols that can be used with limited processing as "algal oil" or to make biodiesel. Algal oil can be blended with petroleum in varying percentages and biodiesel can replace petroleum diesel one-to-one. They can be burned in the appropriate boiler with little or no modification of machinery.

Unlike corn, which requires a lot of land, water and fertilizer, algae requires relatively little space, uses clean and recyclable seawater, and its use for fuel does not detract from the food supply, as the use of corn and

other edible plants does. As one of the most primitive plant species, algae have a simple structure that also allows for easier conversion into biodiesel. Algae reproduce quickly and when transformed into biodiesel, leave a small carbon footprint. Algae is nourished by carbon dioxide, the primary global warming gas, and can actually recycle carbon dioxide emissions from electric generating power plants and other industries. Further, algae produces a higher energy yield than most other biofuel sources.

Environmental impacts of algae farming continue to be an important consideration. In the unlikely case of a water and algae break from the farm, the water used by the facility will actually hold less contaminant than natural ocean water and the microalgae used will also be a common, non-genetically modified species that naturally occurs in Hawaii’s waters. This means the algae will be at home in Hawaiian waters and have to compete with the same food supply as the indigenous algae. The competition of a larger population for a limited food supply will organically restore the algae to its natural levels in the area.

As a promising source of sustainable and secure fuel, algae could play a vital role in providing clean and renewable energy for the state of Hawaii in the future.

For more on research and development of algae for fuel, visit these sites:

U.S. Department of Energy: Biodiesel from Algae
How Algae Biodiesel Works
Phycal, Inc.