Two small Canadian companies enter algae fray

Two small Canadian companies are teaming up to convert industrial CO2 emissions to algae.

Trident Exploration Corp. and Menova Energy say they're forming a new company that will, in consultation with select academics and other scientists serving as advisors, recycle CO2 emissions into biomass.

The two intend to use their respective light stream and waste gas capture technologies to capture greenhouse gases ("GHGs") from the processing of petroleum products.

On March 21st, 2007 the Canadian province of Alberta announced its intention to research the commercialization of algae cultivation and its effect on the reduction of CO2 emissions (see Canadian gov't kickstarts algae research halfheartedly.)

The new company's proposed project is to be one of the first pilot projects in Canada to explore the commercial feasibility of this mandate, the two companies said today.

Trident and Menova say they've developed a solar photo bioreactor. Commercialization of photo bioreactors have been pursued by others, but the two companies believe theirs will be the first to allow year-round continuous operations in all climates.

A pilot project for the bioreactor is to begin shortly, with commercialization expected to occur within three years, they said.

The project appears similar to the approach taken by GreenFuel Technologies of Boston, which has been actively pursuing sequestration of industrial CO2 emissions via algae for many years now.

GreenFuel has recently fallen on hard times (see the Cleantech Group's Bowling for GreenFuel) after raising some $20 million over several years.

Trident is a natural gas exploration and development company, principally focused on natural gas from coal.

Menova Energy provides solar energy solutions for the industrial, commercial and institutional markets.

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