I would like to see algae used more for biodiesel. There is a lot of potential there since all the various city waste treatment facilities would have potential for algae production. Heck the cities could actually defray some of the cost for waste treatment. As was mentioned previously, there are a lot of farm ponds that go unmanaged and have a lot of algae growth occuring. Not sure of the feasability of utilizing that source. Heck, even cooling lakes used by power plants would make a good area for algae growth. Recently, the National Biodiesel Board sent out an email that showed how even the CO2 from a power plant was being fed directly into an algae prodution area and was providing great results in algae growth.
I guess I am just amazed that the biofuels subject lends itself to so much controversy instead of interest. I have become convinced that a lot of controversy is started by those that would prefer we not burn anything, be it bio or dino fuel. heck, these same people would seem to have a problem with using hydrogen in internal combustion engines, something that I have been captivated about since Popular Mechanics did a conversion of a AMC Gremlin V-8 back in the early 70's. The results were quite impressive. Always wondered why that avenue was not persued. Same technology as having an engine use LNG or LP for fuel, but the power output was very good and the emissions were almost non existent (nothing but a little NOx). Instead the only method that seems to be looked at are hydrogen fuel cells. While interesting, it would hardly seem like a cost effective way to get a 3/4 ton pickup to pull a livestock trailer.
Oh well......
