Algae Fuel's Pioneers

Research into biofuels made from single-celled organisms is attracting scientists, entrepreneurs, and even Big Oil companies such as ExxonMobil. But some observers question whether the technology is scalable and affordable.

BY Anya Kamenetz | July 1, 2010

Algenol	Sapphire	Solazyme	Synthetic Genomics
HQ: Bonita Springs, Florida CLAIM TO FAME: May 2010 joint venture with Valero, one of the largest U.S. oil refiners; partnership with Dow Chemical METHOD: Growing algae inside "soda bottle" photobioreactors made of cheap plastic, which analyst Mark Bünger calls "an approach that makes a lot of sense."	HQ: La Jolla, California CLAIM TO FAME: Besides CJ Warner, boasts BP vet Dan Sajkowski as senior director of downstream technology and a board that includes former Monsanto CEO Robert Shapiro and biotech VC David Shaw. METHOD: Cultivating algae in open ponds, similar to swimming pools.	HQ: South San Francisco, California CLAIM TO FAME: Biofuels Digest's No. 1 hottest company in bioenergy in 2009 -- 2010. Already selling thousands of gallons of fuel to the U.S. Navy. METHOD: Feeding sugar to its algae, which it grows in metal photobioreactors, like those used to brew beer.	HQ: La Jolla, California CLAIM TO FAME: In July 2009, ExxonMobil announced a $600 million investment that helped put algae on the map. Headed by Human Genome Project's Craig Venter. METHOD: Investigating whether to raise algae in tubular photobioreactors or open ponds.

From Issue 147 | July 2010