Solazyme creates fuel from algae

San Francisco-based startup Solazyme has developed a way to convert biomass into fuel using algae, and best of all they promise to do it for the same price as petroleum.

Solazyme uses a new, unconventional, way of growing the algae in huge, dark stainless-steel containers. The algae are then fed sugar which the organisms convert into oil. Different strains of algae produce different kinds of oil. The extracted oil can then be processed into diesel and jet fuel as well as other products.

The company has already tested its algae-based fuel in a diesel car. It has also recently announced a development and testing agreement with Chevron.

This new technology has the potential to replace the oil wells we use to get our oil today. As a much greener alternative, it is sure to appeal to consumers, especially if the prices don’t change (although we wouldn’t mind some gasoline cheaper than $3/gallon).

With so many new alternatives to traditional fuel being developed, it looks like we might not be screwed after all. Thanks, Solazyme!