Plenty of people have heard about the advances in finding green fuels, like getting fuel from soybeans or corn, but now research is continuing on the implementation of certain types of algae (pond scum) as an alternative fuel source.

Fifty percent of the weight of algae is oil, and they are incredibly fast growing (which can sometimes cause environmental problems.) This is why, according to an CNN article, Glen Kertz, president and CEO of Valcent Products, says he can produce about 100,000 gallons of algae oil a year per acre, compared to about 30 gallons per acre from corn; 50 gallons from soybeans.

He has created a new system for growing and experimenting with algae. Instead of using ponds to cultivate his algae, he has gone vertical with his growth plans with a system called Vertigro. The idea of using algae as an alternative fuel is not new, but this patented system allows a greater area of algae cells to be exposed to sunlight for photosynthesis.

This is a lot better than cultivating algae in ponds. Long rotating rows of contained plastic bags containing algae may make the Vertigro system the key to a competitive algae biofuel.

Apparently out of 65,000 identified species of algae, some types of algae could produce fuel best for jet fuel, and another may be better for truck diesel.

So be on the lookout for algae fuel coming your way.

Vertigro Website: http://www.valcent.net/s/Ecotech.asp?ReportID=182039