Desert Biofuels Initiative

A particularly exciting project for us is our effort to develop a demonstration pilot plant for algae biofuels. This is an applied research (or “translational research”) project focused on applying basic algae research to create biofuel to run a municipal vehicle.  The goal is to go "from test tube to fuel tank," solving practical implementation problems and disseminating knowledge among project participants, to similarly-situated municipalities/gov entities, to AZ biofuels producers and to community-based efforts and developing countries. The project is planned as a public-private partnership between government, academic and commercial actors. We're currently deep in the planning and proposal-development stage.  Some photos of the proposed site can be seen here.  A few additional details in the attached slides.