Caption: Gene and Deng Yu, a fermentation engineer admiring the rich growth of algae in flask bottles before transferring them to reactors for maximum growth performance. The algae are so dense in just two days culture and very high in lipid oil for the biodiesel production.

Algae profits bloom: algae biofuels!

By Mathew Yakai in Changchun, China

COMPELLED by his continues passion that future for Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the region relies on algae biofuel, as opposed to non-renewable fossil fuel makes me to share this column.

In May this year (2008), I did an article about a PNG student, Gene Drekeke Iyovo, doing Masters of Science majoring Biotechnology at Jiangnan University of China under the Chinese Government Scholarship.

His topic of research is “Use of waste and optimization of Biodiesel production from Algae.”

His research has produced positive results and confident if the government that always talks about billions of kina in the trust fund, if diverted into this kind of research then PNG’s future is secured.

Now he needs help from any individual, private organization, companies, research institutions, and the government to fund one of his important trips to Singapore, for an important conference in this important period on Algae Biofuels.

I firmly believe that young scientists like Gene should be recognized in his area of research because PNG absolutely needs scientists to move forward. Below is what Gene has to tell you.

“You probably seen or experienced algae bloom in swamps and rivers polluting drinking waters, killing plants and animals. Sometimes referred to as ‘’pond scum’’. Well, these nuisance have turned to blessing, it can bloom millions of money.

Now they bloom more fuel for us! Keep reading.

My uncle wrote a letter to me this month. He lives a few kilometers out of Goroka Township, Eastern Highlands, PNG.

’Dia Gene,

Mipela long ples ibagarap stret. Petrol prais igo antap stret,mekim prais blong stua kaikai igo antp moa yet wanwan dei, sop, solt, suga em hat stret long baim. Bai mi lusim taun na go long bus na planim kaikai na stap long bus ples, atin gapman ibagarapim laip pinis. Lusim skul na kam lukautim mipela hia’’.

This is an extract of the letter in the pidgin language, the second common language in PNG, translated as;

’’ Dear Gene, life is too harsh. The increase of fuel prices have triggered price of other basic goods and services like salt and sugar becoming expensive to afford everyday. I will quit my town life and going to village and sustain the family. I think the government fails us. If you can, please quit your studies and come help us’’.

This is the portion that brings tears. I replied and told him that what he plans to do is the right choice at this moment. We can only wait and see how the government can drive this nation.

Thereafter, I received an invitation letter from Ummu Hani, General Manager for promotion, Center for Management and Technology in Singapore.

On the 17th -18th November 2008, there will be a very important conference titled “Algae world 2008” in Singapore.

He advised me to attend, and learn as to why multibillion companies like Shell, Chevron, Origin Oil Inc, Boeing, Airbus and Honeywell are investing billions of dollars to develop algae biodiesel overnight, which is inline with the research I am currently doing in China.

In this conference, there are panels of scientists, investors, developers and inventors coming to address their findings, inventions, technology and latest developments to gear up for commercialization tomorrow, according to Ummu.

Others including developers and investors bringing their technology to display, publicize, advertise and promote a dynamic exchange of the latest research.

Algaelink, Petro Algae, solazyme, Sapphire Energy, Petrosun, groups and individuals like Bill Gates are investing earnestly.

Algae link is linking with KLM, one of the largest Airline Company in Europe to produce aviation fuel.

They have been in good contact with me, promoting their latest inventions that can produce tons per day production.

And they have separately advised me of the algae world conference where none dares to miss when the cost of fuel is torturing the world.

I need the support from my Government or organizations to fund for this rescue mission conference if possible.

“At the “2008 Algae World” you will gain an in-dept understanding of the potential of algae as energy resources and the market outlook of algae –fuel and other applications and Techno-economic perspective,” the General Manager stressed.

According to my algal biodiesel laboratory research experiments, frankly this is not a colored exaggeration. I seriously know WHY he emphasized.

Why not the multi billion dollar fossil oil companies stand their way and discourage algae development and its market? Obviously, incredible alternative biofuel is found!

Algae World 2008 guarantees objective insights on Commercialization of Algae Biofuels, latest advances and constraints in Algae cultivation, harvesting & processing.

It will bring about a dynamic exchange of the latest research, investment outlook and pathways to the widespread commercialization of Algae Biofuel around the world.

Algae World 2008 objectively examines Algae’s potential to address some of the world’s most pressing issues including climate change, pollution, the need for alternative fuels, and global economic development.

It will be a premier Buyer-Seller meet, provides an excellent networking platform for the match-making of Major Technology/Solution providers and Energy Developers.

Pacific region has its own challenges in terms of meeting increasing energy demands.

As nations in Asia-Pacific wean themselves off imported oil, biofuels are increasingly prominent in the Asia-Pacific energy equation.

That begs the question, “How can Algae contribute in meeting Asia-pacific Biofuels Needs?” a question that Algae World 2008 will answer.

“This will be answered, which will be presented by Cliver Gibson of the Global Consulting powerhouse, now you need to be in that conference given your research and the global fuel crises now and the future prospect that your country will have the algae developed,” Ummu insisted.

There is a time when fuel supply and demand will surface unbalanced in the supply and demand chain.

It’s already here, there is a need to develop better energy policies, supply, demand and cost must equate to sustainable level to keep cost of living at affordable level, alleviate poverty and increase economic activities.

The algae biofuel comprising basically biodiesel (bioethanol/biogas) are no longer laboratory scum that is researched and forgotten.

Recent developments are producing tons per day. If developed and installed in PNG then it can last to end of times! This is the beauty part of the algae fuel.

Ignorance today can cost serious consequence a life time, when cheap fossil fuel era is gone, biofuels will take a long time to reach international markets because of the internal market demand of the producing countries.

Within these lengths of time, none biofuel producing countries may exchange life for drop of oil.

Knowing developers, inventors, investors, experts participating in this conference is very important as far as the coming biofuel era is concerned.

I have to find finance to fund for this two day (17th -18th November, 2008) conference from China to Singapore. This conference is very important for the nation and the Pacific wide.

PNG including pacific islands countries have their potential to develop this cheap oil. We can invent the future today!

An idea such as investing our non renewable resources to gain renewable resources is novel idea!

The Green Fuel Review produced a Special Report Review investigating on the algae biofuel investment.

The report concluded that algae alone can supply all biofuel needed in the form of biodiesel to all fuel needs in the US.

180 000 gallons of biodiesel can be produced every year from just one acre of algae, the report claimed.

The potential is so large, one acre can produce so much oil about thousand times more oil than oil palm, the plant that produce edible oil.

This exhibited by the photobioreactor according Dr Glen Kartz of the Vertical Valcent products.

According to U.S. Department of Energy research, 15 000 gallons can be produced per acre algae while food based cannot even afford 20% to match per year.

Sugar cane, oil palm, Soya beans, cassava and Jatropha plants are way below these algae

A process that takes millions of years to liquefy solid matter and concentrate them to crude oil that we mine and used as fuel is made possible by science to produce within days!

Fuel is the number one commodity that defines our destiny, every good and service is priced, taking into consideration the cost of fuel. If fuel supply is decreased, simple commerce lessons taught us that prices hike.

The cheap fossil fuel era is long gone. My uncle is an example of the 80% of 6.2 million people suffering in PNG now due to high fuel prices causing price increase in basic goods and services.

The other 20 % may have a job but according to media reports, they also suffer.

Obviously there is a very high cost of living nationwide; other Pacific island nations are no exception.

The conference is very important in regard to alternative fuel search worldwide.

Are the algae biofuels running on hype, hope or ready to market science? Can algae biofuels grow to become a true solution for the global biofuel needs?

These are the questions I have been searching during my research and there are answers from experts all over the world coming to interpret at the Singapore conference.

I do not see any reasons as to why PNG or other Pacific Island countries will not attend.

If any organizations, departments or government want to invest in this profound dynamic green high demand, please contact me on my contact details below.

You can make your donations for my travel to this conference in Singapore. Secure the future today, invest in algae biofuel now.

drexgene@yahoo.com or phone contact; 0086 13771426219"