Still a Ways to Go with Algae Biofuels for the Navy
As the Navy continues to devote money towards biofuel development and, in particular, algae biofuels, they still have a ways to go before it is economically feasible. In a recent Navy Times article, the cost for producing one gallon of algae biofuel was placed at over $400.
Specifically, Navy scientists will be able to use the Department of Agriculture’s knowledge of corn, algae and other biofuels to help develop the alternatives the fleet needs if it is to meet Mabus’ goals. Although chemists already are producing synthetic fuels that can run in Navy diesels, gas turbines or jet engines with no modifications, they are very expensive. In September, the Navy paid $424 per gallon for a batch of algae-base biofuel, as compared with $1.40 per gallon for standard petroleum fuels.
Obviously, the Navy, nor anyone else for that matter, will pay almost 400 times as much as standard petroleum fuels for an energy source.
