BioCrude

First Algae Biodiesel Plant Goes Online: April 1, 2008

PetroSun begins operation of its commercial algae-to-biofuels facility on April 1st, 2008. (Not an April Fools joke.)

The facility, located in Rio Hondo, Texas [located near the southern tip of Texas, close to the Gulf of Mexico and to the nation of Mexico], will produce an estimated 4.4 million gallons of algal oil and 110 million lbs. of biomass per year off a series of saltwater ponds spanning 440 hectares (1,100 acres).

Algae are favored for the production of oil because they are very efficient and can live in brackish and even salty water. In addition, their use for biocrude does not cause an increase in food prices as soybean and corn-based biocrude does.

Google Maps link.