Hawaii BioEnergy Discussing Teaming to Work on Algae Based Biofuels

Hawaii BioEnergy a relatively new company that has been researching using algae to reduce Hawaii's reliance on fossil fuels is negotiating to team with either SAIC or Bechtel to develop fuel from algae. The Honolulu Star Bulletin discusses the efforts here. Bechtel and SAIC have already received sepearte contracts from the U.S. government worth almost $40 million combined to develop this idea. Hawaii BioEnergy is in talks with both companies to see if they can make a contribution to the effort. Neither company has established where they will do the work and Hawaii offers some advantages to working with algae because of its climate. Of course with any work there are negatives with Hawaii due to the transportation costs and time difference which may make it hard to cooperate with efforts ongoing in the U.S. This whole business area is fairly new and one can expect with the new administration more funding for these types of efforts.