Algae Power Meets High-end Fashion

[Turborama]

Run time: 03:16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kyAOqVFTvc   Posted on YouTube: November 24, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 25, 2009 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 1037

 
Everyone having their own environmentally friendly fuel plant, how cool is that?

-- --- --

In the course of the Vienna Design Week 2008, EOOS premiered its mock-up of an algae power station in front of the display windows of the boutique "Song" in Vienna's inner city. Plant 1 is designed in such a way that the biofuel regularly produced allows for the energy-independent operation of a fuel-efficient compact car. Environmentally conscious consumers can install Plant 1 directly in their gardens or on the roofs of their houses. Under optimum conditions, the microalgae in the reactor rods multiply continually. Using the esterified algae fuel produced by 60 reactor rods, a three-liter car could be driven for 10,000 kilometers per year. The carbon dioxide balance is neutral, as the amount of CO2 emitted by the car would have been metabolized by Plant 1 in advance. "Identifying options and ideas for the future - that, too, is an essential mission of design", explains Harald.

More: http://www.eoos.com/cms/index.php?id=141

http://www.eoos.com/cms/fileadmin/medienpool/Algenkraftwerk/AlgaePowerStation_E.pdf">Description and operation (PDF)


ETA: For more info on algae fuel, check out the latest entry in http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama">my Journal.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kristopher]

2. They didn't give "energy efficiency" number in pdf

They just put "CO2 neutral"; this is a vague claim, that needs support. They need to circulate air through the medium, that requires a pump. Then there is the power required for the centrifuge, drying, and extracting the oil from the algae. They claim to produce the equivalent of 2+ megawatt hours per year. I assume that is gross production; to understand the real value of this process we'd need the net production value after the energy inputs have been subtracted from the gross production.
That, of course, would then reduce the carbon balance related to 6250 miles/year of driving they use as baseline.

I'm very interested in algae oil, however I've learned that you have to be very cautious about the claims that are floating around out there. Btw, Valcent just last week went bankrupt.

[Turborama]

3. They say it's powered by solar, though.

Obviously there needs to be a back-up generator, but couldn't that be powered by algae-diesel?

I couldn't find anything on the interwebs about Valcent going bankrupt. Also, their website is still up, there's no news about it on there and, as of writing, their stock is up 8.15%....

http://www.valcent.net/s/Home.asp

[kristopher]

4. You're right about Valcent

I had an email from their IR dept in my inbox that I had only glanced at the header of, and I somehow got a totally wrong idea of the subject.

As to the idea of a back-up generator running on algae diesel, yes, of course that is possible. In fact you could feed the exhaust through the tubes and enrich the CO2 content to improve production. What you end up doing though is running off the solar converted to oil by the algae. The best case estimates of solar gain over other energy input for algae is in the realm of 3X-6X. Put another way, that is an energy return on energy invested of between 3:1 to 6:1. Compare that to ethanol at about 1.3:1. Algae actually looks set to capture two to five times the solar that ethanol will.

The next question to ask is what alternatives are there to that system which ends up going through the car in an internal combustion engine with an overall efficiency of less than 20% and a generator that is also powered by a stationary ICE that gets maybe 40% - 45% efficiency if we capture the exhaust heat to dry the algae?

It's a bit too complicated to work out this early since you have two different energy streams to reconcile, but you can see clearly that the impact of the poor efficiency of the internal combustion engine is huge.

Alternatively, you could just invest in solar panels or contract with your power company for solar/wind and run a battery electric EV that uses the energy with 90%+ efficiency, couldn't you?

The EV1 from GM racked up about 6 miles per KWH. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/avta/light_duty/fsev/fsev_gas_elec2.html

Using their production number of 2,800 kwh each year for comparison that gives us a range of 16,800 in a battery electric. Since the electricity in this scenario is produced strictly by solar, it is about as carbon neutral as you can possibly get, the only emissions would be those associated with manufacture of the components.

No, as a general rule personal transport with biodiesel doesn't make sense. What it does make sense for though, are for those applications where the energy density of a liquid fuel is the major issue, such as ships, aircraft, and heavy equipment. That is a large part of the petroleum market that needs to be addressed.

[Confusious]

5. Alternatively,

We could just give up on cars and redesign our cities so you could get places on bikes or take the train for long hauls.

[kristopher]

6. That would require vastly more resources than switching to EVs. nt

[kristopher]

7. Oooops, I had retrieved the wrong email - they are "restructuring"

AKA going bankrupt. A message today informed me (I'm not invested) that their previous stockholders will have their shares converted at a rate of 18 old shares for 1 new share of the 16,000,000 shares to be issues following the $2,000,000 infusion of cash from a single investor.
Today:
News Release - Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Valcent Products Inc. Announces Completion of US $2 Million
Private Placement
=======================================================================

Valcent Products Inc. (the "Company", or "Valcent") announces that it
has completed the remaining US $1,500,000 of the US $2,000,000, 10%
convertible note private placement funding to a single subscriber that
will convert automatically to 16,000,000 post consolidation units of
securities at the point in time that the Company achieves a share
consolidation at a ratio of 18 current shares for 1 new share as
previously reported on May 15, 2009. Each unit is comprised of one
common share and one-third share purchase warrant with each whole
warrant convertible at US$0.45 per share for a one year term from the
date of conversion

May 15th:

Valcent Products Inc,.

Follow up message
=======================================================================
Re: News Release - Friday, May 15, 2009
Valcent Products Inc. Announces Debt Settlements and Corporate
Restructuring Initiatives
=======================================================================

Valcent Products Inc. (the "Company", or "Valcent") announces in order
to continue the commercialization of the Verticrop system as well as
maintaining its 50% interest in Vertical Algae Technologies Inc., it
has initiated a corporate restructuring. As part of the restructuring
Valcent settled approximately 85% of its liabilities in the aggregate
of US$10,751,224 through the issuance of 528,805,109 common shares.
After the debt settlements, the Company has issued and outstanding an
aggregate of 591,094,635 shares of common stock. Also as part of its
restructuring, the Company plans to hold a special meeting of its
shareholders to approve a consolidation of common shares on a one (1)
for eighteen (18) basis, and also approve a reduction in the stated
capital of the common shares of the Company in an amount equivalent to
its estimated deficit as at March 31, 2009. If the shareholders vote
affirmatively for the planned share consolidation, and assuming the
Company issues no additional shares of common stock before the share
consolidation is effected, the Company's issued and outstanding shares
will be reduced to an aggregate of 32,831,771.

In addition, lockup arrangements have been reached with respect to
approximately 87% of shares issued as part of the settlement of the
US$10,751,224 whereby a significant portion of the former creditors
have agreed to not sell the stock they were issued as part of the debt
settlement until at least January 1, 2010, and thereafter have agreed
to restrict the number of shares each may sell in each calendar quarter
in 2010 to no more than 25% of the total shares issued as part of the
debt settlement. Of the 528,805,109 shares of its common stock issued
to settle debts, 23,695,636 was issued in settlements of debts
involving officers or directors of the Company, and these shares are
also subject to the lockup agreement restrictions previously noted.

In addition, secured creditors arrangements have been entered into with
all of the Company's secured creditors who have agreed to i) take
partial repayment of the debt owed to them in cash, ii) the settlement
of non-cash amounts already paid in shares, and iii) enter into certain
lockup arrangements until January 1, 2010. Currently, the aggregate
corporate liabilities after the restructuring is accomplished are
estimated by management at US$1,155,000 in secured debt, approximately
US$750,000 in trade payables, and certain convertible notes that the
Company has (as described below), or expects to issue. Secured debt
has also been optioned by the Company to prevent equity conversion
through December 31, 2009.

In addition, pursuant to a letter agreement dated March 24, 2009, the
Company has issued US$500,000 in new 10% convertible notes to a single
subscriber that will convert automatically to 4,000,000 post
consolidation units of securities at the point in time that the Company
achieves a share consolidation at a ratio of 18 current shares for 1
new share, where each unit is comprised of one new common share and
one-third share purchase warrant, with each whole share purchase
warrant exercisable at US$0.45 for a one year term into one further
common share. The warrants to be issued may be exercised on a cashless
basis. The subscriber has committed to lend the Company an additional
US$1,500,000 at such time as the Company can confirm that it can
achieve the vote required to effect a share consolidation at a ratio of
18 current shares for 1 new share. The additional convertible note
will be issued on like terms converting automatically into a further
12,000,000 post consolidation units of securities. Any shares issued
to this subscriber upon the conversion of the notes would not be
subject to lock up arrangements.

The debt settlements, lockup, and convertible debt restructuring are a
part of the Company's plan to substantially reduce its debt and
restructure the Company's capital structure as part of the Company's
plan to further fund its business operations.

About Valcent Products, Inc:

Valcent Products Inc. (OTCBB: VCTPF)(CUSIP: 918881103) develops highly
innovative consumer and industrial products and processes for global
markets. A pioneer and leader in ecotechnology with its core research
and development in sustainable, renewable, and intense growth of
agricultural products. For more information, visit: www.valcent.net and
www.valcent.eu and visit and contribute to www.blog.valcent.net.

Contacts:
Investor Relations
Gerry Jardine or Mike Parker
[phone] or [phone] or worldwide [phone]
[email protected]


Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements: This press release
contains forward-looking information, in that it describes events and
conditions, which Valcent Products, Inc. reasonably expects to occur in
the future, and statements including opinions, assumptions and
estimates. Forward-looking statements include information that does
not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this
document, the words "seeks", "anticipate", "believe", estimate",
"expect", "forecast", "intent", "may", "project", "plan", "potential",
"should" and similar expressions are intended to be among the
statements that identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to
a wide range of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including
inability to complete sales in process or develop positive cash flow
from anticipated product sales, and although the Company believes that
the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be
realized. We have attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those
current expectations or estimates expressed or implied by the
forward-looking information. The risks and uncertainties that could
affect future events or the Company's future financial performance are
more fully described in the Company's quarterly reports (on Form 6-K
filed in the US and the financial statements and Form 51-102F1 filed in
Canada), the Company's annual reports (on Form 20-F filed in the US and
the financial statements and Form 51-102F1 filed in Canada) and the
other recent filings in the US and Canada. These filings are available
at www.sec.gov in the US and www.sedar.com in Canada. For all such
forward-looking statements, we claim the safe harbour for
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Valcent disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statement made herein.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which
include assumptions with respect to (i) production: (ii) future capital
expenditures: (iii) funds from operations: (iv) cash flow: and (v) debt
levels. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the
preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. All such
forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks
and uncertainties. certain of which are beyond Valcent's control. Such
risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated
with junior technology companies, development, production and
marketing, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices. currency
fluctuations, competition from other producers, delays resulting from
or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and ability to
access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the
impact of general economic conditions in Canada and the United States,
industry conditions, changes in laws and regulations and changes in how
they are interpreted and enforced, increased competition, the lack of
availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in
foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market
valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions and the
final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of
regulatory authorities. Valcent's actual results, performance or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no
assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the
forward---looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them
do, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds. Valcent will
derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of
factors is not exhaustive. All subsequent forward-looking statements,
whether written or oral, attributable to Valcent or persons acting on
its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these
cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward---looking statements
contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news
release and Valcent does not undertake any obligation to update
publicly or to revise any of the included forward---looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

If you wish to be taken off the email list for further news releases
and updates from Valcent please respond back to this address with the
word remove in the subject line, thanks.
=======================================================================
Copyright (c) 2009 VALCENT PRODUCTS INC,. (VCTPF) All rights reserved.
For more information visit our website at http://www.valcent.net/ or
send mailto:[email protected]
=======================================================================

[Turborama]

8. Thanks a lot for the update

Not knowing much about stocks and shares, I don't fully understand what it all means, to be honest. If you've got time, could you give a short summary in layman's terms, please?

From what I do understand of it, it sounds like they're in trouble, which is a real shame because on the surface their concept is a no-brainer and they should be taken a lot more seriously by investors. I wonder if they have applied for R&D funding from Obama's energy budget...

[kristopher]

9. It isn't unusual.

It is bankruptcy but investing in startups is a high risk - high yield gamble. It means the people who bought stock before will probably see most of the value wiped off the books and the person who invested the current $2M will win big if their timing is good. Companies might do this several times as they try to go mainstream, so it isn't necessarily a sign of increasing weakness. It isn't good, but I'm not surprised by it and still consider the idea valcent is promoting to have merit. Of course, that isn't the same as saying Valcent will be a successful venture. A lot of good ideas fail because there just isn't a way to protect against others doing the same thing a little differently. I think this is one of those cases, myself.

BTW, I wouldn't accept ANY of the information on productivity that Valcent has announced. Another possible interpretation of events is that they are just spinning a bunch of crap and finding a series of suckers who they drain dry with promises. The claims they make are so far outside the mainstream of technical feasibility that I think they (the claims) are totally bogus.