Sapphire Energy News

ALGAE BIOMASS ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES 2013-2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABO Blog — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:07:00 GMT

Diverse group from across industry’s value chain represents algae production, end-users and professional services

MINNEAPOLIS–May 14, 2013 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today announced the election of seven members to its Board of Directors for the 2013-2015 term. The new and re-elected board members join eight others that are already serving terms on the board.

Big Thinking at Fortune's "Brainstorm Green": Why Are We Politicizing Good, New Ideas?

Tanya M. Acker, HuffPost Blog — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:09:00 GMT

During Fortune's recent "Brainstorm Green" conference, a panel of biofuel executives discussed the scalability of algae fuel technologies, which present an exciting new(ish) front in the energy equation. Richard Branson thinks that commercializing the fuels for use in jets would be "not so difficult" and both United and Continental Airlines, among others, have flown jets powered by an algae-fuel mix. Sapphire Energy, whose CEO, CJ Warner, spoke on the panel, manufactures an algae-based crude oil that can been refined into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel (it was used in the aforementioned Continental flight).

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to Address Annual Rutgers Energy Institute Symposium

Rutgers Energy Institute, RutgersToday — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:54:00 GMT

Nobel Prize laureate and former U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu; Al Darzins, research and development director of the Gas Technology Institute; Steve Conerli, senior vice president, sustainability, policy and strategy, NRG Energy, Inc.; Thomas Dietz, professor of sociology and environmental science and policy and assistant vice president for environmental research at Michigan State University; and Cynthia Warner, chair and CEO, Sapphire Energy, Inc.

Renewable jet fuel key to compliance with Europe’s GHG rules — Vilsack

Tiffany Stecker and Julia Pyper, E&E — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:40:00 GMT

The five-year extension of the Agriculture Department’s “Farm to Fly” initiative will help airlines comply with international greenhouse gas caps, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said yesterday.

New online map of North American algae projects

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:44:00 GMT

67 percent of algae producers said they plan to expand capacity in 2013: new online map of projects from ABO

Sapphire Energy's Warner discusses efforts to commercialize green crude

Monica Trauzzi, OnPoint — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:52:00 GMT

What role could green crude play in the United States' energy future? During today's OnPoint, Cynthia Warner, CEO of Sapphire Energy, discusses her company's attempts to bring green crude to commercial scale. She also talks about the public acceptance and water usage challenges that exist with this technology.

Vilsack, LaHood to lead parade of biofuels, finance, policy leaders as ABLC 2013 gets underway

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:33:00 GMT

In Washington, the 2013 Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference will kick off at 8am ET this morning.
Among the highlights for today (April 15): US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will take the stage at 2pm for separate addresses, and jointly sign a renewal of the “Farm to Fly” agreement aimed at developing a feedstock supply chain for aviation biofuels.

Sapphire Energy Inks Deal to Supply ‘Green Crude’ to Major Oil Refiner

Carlin Rosengarten and Jeff Benzak — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:30:00 GMT

At its algae farm in the high desert of southwest New Mexico, San Diego-based Sapphire Energy is helping to change the way America’s fuels are produced. And recently, one of the largest petroleum companies in the world signed on as its first commercial customer.

Sapphire strikes agreement with Tesoro for Green Crude

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:57:00 GMT

Sapphire Energy has entered into a commercial agreement with Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Tesoro Corporation, to purchase crude oil from Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude Farm in Columbus, New Mexico. This begins the first step of a commercial relationship to process Green Crude oil from Sapphire’s future commercial facilities. Tesoro Corporation, a Fortune 150 company, is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products, with a retail-marketing system including over 1,400 branded retail stations

Why it’s a big deal that 0.0003% of Tesoro’s fuel will come from algae this year

Todd Woody — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:47:00 GMT

On the scale of oil production, from supergiant oil fields to marginal shale reserves, Sapphire Energy’s output ranks as “artisanal.” In a deal announced yesterday, Sapphire will, for the rest of 2013, supply US oil refiner Tesoro with precisely two barrels, or 84 gallons, of oil a day. Tesoro’s refineries can handle 675,000 barrels a day.

Attention K-Mart Shoppers: Sapphire’s Green Crude on Sale Now

Jim Lane — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:17:00 GMT

Show me the gallons? Where’s all the algae fuel, you ask?

In Sapphire Energy’s case, it’s headed for Tesoro.

Tesoro Is First Customer for Sapphire’s Algae-Derived Crude Oil

Andrew Herndon, Bloomberg — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:44:00 GMT

Sapphire Energy Inc., a Bill Gates- backed producer of crude oil from algae, said Tesoro Corp. (TSO) is its first customer.

Tesoro, the largest independent refiner on the U.S. West Coast, is purchasing an undisclosed amount of the oil produced at its demonstration plant in Columbus, New Mexico, closely held Sapphire said today in a statement. The agreement is “the first step of a commercial relationship” to process oil from planned commercial-scale facilities, the San Diego-based company said.

Sapphire Energy inks sales agreement with Tesoro

Dan Mayfield, Albuquerque Business First — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:41:00 GMT

Sapphire Energy, which is making “green crude” oil in southern New Mexico, on Wednesday said it has entered a sales agreement to sell its oil to Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co.

Sapphire Energy Signs Deal with Tesoro, Begins Year-Round Production

Bruce V. Bigelow, xconomy — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:25:00 GMT

San Diego-based Sapphire Energy says today it has agreed to supply crude oil produced from algae at its “Green Crude Farm” near Columbus, NM, under a new commercial agreement with Tesoro, the independent oil company based in San Antonio, TX.

SAPPHIRE ENERGY ENTERS INTO A COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT WITH TESORO FOR PURCHASE OF GREEN CRUDE OIL

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, March 20, 2013 – Sapphire Energy, Inc., a leader in algae-based Green Crude oil production, today announced it has entered into a commercial agreement with Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Tesoro Corporation. Under the agreement, Tesoro will purchase crude oil from Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude Farm in Columbus, New Mexico, which recently reached a new milestone: continuous cultivation and crude oil production. This begins the first step of a commercial relationship to process Green Crude oil from Sapphire’s future commercial facilities.

BIO’s 10th Annual World Congress to Feature Presentations on Latest in Advanced Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals and Commercialization

Biotechnology Industry Organization — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:21:00 GMT

BIO announces breakout session program for 2013 World Congress--Jeff Webster, COO, Sapphire Energy Inc. is slated to speak during the Developments in Drop in Biofuels breakout session on Tuesday, June 18, 8:30 am-10 am.

Obama Confers With Energy, Oil Executives on Second-Term Agenda

Roger Runningen, Bloomberg — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:49:00 GMT

President Barack Obama has conferred with more than a dozen oil, natural gas and clean-energy executives, as well as academic advisers, at the White House in advance of an energy-policy speech in Illinois next week, spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Entreprenuership Academy, WISER bring successful alumnus to campus

Swasti Khuntia, TechNews — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:00 GMT

The IIT Entrepreneurship Academy in association with Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research (WISER) hosted a talk by Alumni Cynthia (C. J.) Warner. While WISER invited Ms. Warner as a part of their 2013 WISER/Galvin Center Seminar Series, IIT Entrepreneurship Academy invited her for a talk on the story behind her successful career as an energy executive, and to network with fellow IIT students, faculty and staff.

COMBATING ALGAE PARASITES

ABO Blog — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:04:00 GMT

Just like any other form of agriculture, algae farming also comes with the challenge of dealing with unwanted pests. One of the most difficult to manage algae parasites is known as A. protococcarum, and is the subject of research recently revealed by a collaborative effort between Sapphire Energy, the University of Alabama and San Diego State University.

Scientists publish analysis of algae parasite impact on algae biofuel in PLOS ONE

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:53:00 GMT

In California, a group of scientists led by Sapphire Energy announced the completion of a collaborative study which identified the morphology, ultrastructure, and life history of A. protococcarum, one of the most difficult to manage algae parasites.

Sapphire and Partner Scientists Publish Analysis of Algae Parasite Impact on Scalable Algae Biofuel Production

Biofuels Journal — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:47:00 GMT

San Diego—As part of an ongoing effort to improve commercial scale algae biofuel production, a group of scientists, led by crude oil producer Sapphire Energy, Inc., announced Feb. 20 the completion of a collaborative study which identified the morphology, ultrastructure, and life history of A. protococcarum, one of the most difficult to manage algae parasites.

SCIENTISTS PUBLISH FIRST IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF ALGAE PARASITE IMPACT ON SCALABLE ALGAE BIOFUEL PRODUCTION IN PLOS ONE JOURNAL

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:05:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, February 20, 2013 – As part of an ongoing effort to improve commercial scale algae biofuel production, a group of scientists, led by crude oil producer Sapphire Energy, Inc., today announced the completion of a collaborative study which identified the morphology, ultrastructure, and life history of A. protococcarum, one of the most difficult to manage algae parasites. Their findings are detailed in “Characterization of Amoeboaphelidium Protococcarum: An Algal Parasite New to the Cryptomycota Isolated from an Outdoor Algal Pond Used for the Production of Biofuel,” published today in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE. The article provides a comprehensive study of the parasite challenge facing crop protection for scaled algae cultivation in open-pond systems. These results will provide a broader understanding and promote the development of sustainable management strategies for biofuel production.

WHITE PAPER: Advanced Biofuels and National Security

Andrew Holland, American Security Project — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:58:00 GMT

ASP’s White Paper report, “Advanced Biofuels and National Security” builds on ASP’s long history of demonstrating the importance of reducing oil use for national security and highlighting the work of the Department of Defense in promoting alternative fuels. This report demonstrates that developing advanced biofuels are important in reducing America’s dependence on oil; this dependence presents real national security threats to the United States and the American military.

Sapphire Energy Congratulates Leroy Hood For National Medal of Science Award

Biofuels Journal — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:03:00 GMT

San Diego—“On behalf of Sapphire Energy, I want to congratulate Dr. Leroy Hood on being honored with the National Medal of Science from President Obama today.

Statement from Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner, CEO and chairman of Sapphire Energy, Regarding the Awarding to Dr. Leroy Hood of a National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama at the White House

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:32:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, February 1, 2013 – “On behalf of Sapphire Energy, I want to congratulate Dr. Leroy Hood on being honored with the National Medal of Science from President Obama today. As the co-founder and president of Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology, Dr. Hood’s innovative research and application of systems biology in the fields of health and the environment is working to solve some of the most important scientific challenges our society faces today, including furthering the scientific research and development of scalable algae biofuel production as the chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board. Sapphire Energy is very proud to be associated with Dr. Hood and send him our most heartfelt congratulations for receiving this prestigious honor.”

2013 could be a make or break year for algae fuel

Katie Fehrenbacher, GigaOm — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:34:00 GMT

2013 is a year where algae fuel makers are finally starting to try to reach scale where they can compete with oil. Will they make it?

Obama highlights renewable energy, climate change in Inaugural Address

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:28:00 GMT

In Washington, US President Barack Obama embarked on his second term in office yesterday with an Inaugural Address that placed climate change and renewable energy squarely on the Administration’s agenda.

Algae Fuel Could Help Solve The Navy’s Oil Dependence

Tom Fudge, KPBS — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:06:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO — When Captain Jim Goudreau describes the U.S. Navy's goal of cutting in half its use of fossil fuels by 2020, he uses words like “daunting” and “challenging.” Goudreau is director of the Navy’s Energy Coordination Office. And another word he uses to describe the goal is “necessary.” He said the Navy needs to end its heavy dependence on petroleum.

Sapphire Energy's CJ Warner Interviewed on CNN

Sapphire Energy — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Sapphire Energy's Cynthia 'CJ' Warner Interviewed on CNN, June 17 2010.

Green Crude Farm--Animated

Sapphire Energy — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:00:00 GMT

This playful video provides an overview of Sapphire Energy's unprecedented Green Crude Farm in Columbus, New Mexico.

Algae Biomass Organization Comments on Fiscal Cliff Legislation

Biofuels Journal — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC—As part of the bi-partisan “Fiscal Cliff” legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on January 1, 2013, algae-derived fuels are, for the first time ever, a “qualified feedstock” under section 40 of the United States Code meaning that producers of algal fuel are eligible for a $1.01 per gallon tax credit.

SAPPHIRE ENERGY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, January 8, 2013 – Sapphire Energy, Inc., one of the world leaders in algae-based green crude oil production, today announced Thomas ‘Tom’ Willardson has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Willardson brings more than 30 years of experience in leading financial initiatives for public and privately held companies, including serving as CFO for Aurora Algae, Inc.; Energy Recovery, Inc.; and Cost Plus, Inc.; among others. At Sapphire Energy, he’ll oversee financial planning, accounting, insurance, legal, and investor relations.

Biofuels Digest’s 2012 New Feedstock (Demonstration) Award: Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude Farm, Columbus, NM

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:57:00 GMT

In August, Sapphire Energy announced that the first phase of its Green Crude Farm, the world’s first commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility, is now operational in Columbus. Construction of this first phase, which began on June 1, 2011, was completed on time and on budget.

Top Ten Greentech VC Deals of 2012

ERIC WESOFF, greentechmedia — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:10:00 GMT

Epic-sized VC rounds were plentiful in greentech in 2012.

But energy generation, fuel, and automotive markets have proven challenging investment sectors for the VC asset class. Some of these large rounds flowed into startups that are long-in-tooth yet still not on a path to profitability.

Global cleantech investment dropped to $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2012, down 14 percent from the first quarter, according to the Cleantech Group. Green VC investment stood at $1.6 billion in the third quarter, level with the second quarter’s tally. Deal count is down. Cleantech Group is projecting 2012 will end up seeing $6.8 billion in green VC, a 28 percent decline from $9.4 billion in 2011.

Five Green Tech Trends To Watch In 2013

Todd Woody, Forbes Staff — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:04:00 GMT

With hours to go until the ball drops on 2012, here then are Green Wombat‘s green tech trends for 2013.

Sapphire Energy: Growing green oil

Marc Gunther, Fortune — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:21:00 GMT

On a 2,200-acre expanse of desert scrub in Columbus, N.M. (pop. 1,678), Sapphire Energy has built the world's first large-scale farm to grow algae and produce crude oil. The five-year-old company has spent about $60 million constructing an array of about 70 ponds, each the size of a football field, and a refinery, which began producing oil this past summer. The first barrels are rolling out now.

Can Algae Power the Future?

Dan Stone, National Geographic — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:07:00 GMT

When you think about renewable energy, the usual suspects come to mind. Solar farms in the American Southwest. Wind energy in the central plains. Even tidal energy along the coasts and biofuels everywhere in between.

BREAKING NEWS: US Senate votes 62-37 to back military aviation biofuels

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:16:00 GMT

In Washington, the US Senate voted 62-37 in favor of an amendment offered by Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to repeal section 313 of the annual Defense appropriations bill.

SAPPHIRE ENERGY GROWS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, (November 13, 2012) – Sapphire Energy, Inc., one of the world leaders in algae-based green crude oil production, today announced the appointment of Jeff Webster as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Mr. Webster brings more than 28 years of broad industry experience across biotech, renewable energy, agriculture, and oil & gas, including setting strategic direction and leading implementation of successful new business initiatives for industry leading companies such as Solazyme and Tyson Foods’ Renewable Products Division. At Sapphire Energy, he’ll oversee current and future business operations, business and project development and corporate affairs.

Sapphire Energy Selects OSIsoft’s PI System for Strategic IT Infrastructure

OSIsoft LLC — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:06:00 GMT

SAN LEANDRO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OSIsoft, LLC, provider of the PI System™, the leading infrastructure for streaming data and events, today announced the implementation of its PI System at Sapphire Energy’s New Mexico-based facilities, including the Green Crude Farm in Columbus and the Research and Development facility in Las Cruces. Designed to offer seamless integration and support for the enterprise technology landscape, OSIsoft’s PI System will provide Sapphire Energy with real-time combined data and situational awareness to enable quicker and more precise operational decisions.

How Systems Biology Can Help Improve 'Green Crude' - aka Algae Fuel

ISBUSA — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:54:00 GMT

Sapphire Energy and ISB today announced a partnership that will lead to exciting discoveries in commercial algae fuel production. You can read the release here. But to hear directly from Dr. Nitin Baliga, who is ISB's Director for Integrative Biology, on why this partnership is unique, watch this short interview:

ALGAE COMPANIES AMONG HOTTEST COMPANIES IN BIOENERGY

Algae Biomass Organization — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:58:00 GMT

In the past 12 months there has been a rush of new algal products, demonstrations and technology milestones that is making algae difficult to ignore, and we are glad to see so much recognition in the bioenergy community.

Sapphire Energy & Institute for Systems Biology Partner on Biofuels

Bruce V. Bigelow, Xconomy — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:47:00 GMT

San Diego’s Sapphire Energy and Seattle’s Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) have established a strategic partnership that is intended to significantly expand and diversify the genetic resources that Sapphire needs to commercialize algae-based biofuels. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

SAPPHIRE ENERGY AND INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY PARTNER ON COMMERCIAL ALGAE PRODUCTION

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Collaboration Aims to Further Research and Solve Key Biological Challenges for Commercial-Scale Algae-to-Energy Production

San Diego (November 1, 2012) – Sapphire Energy, a world leader in producing crude oil from algae, and Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the pioneers of the cross-disciplinary and integrative systems approach to research, today announced a strategic partnership to further the scientific research and development of algae biofuels. Through this partnership, the companies will focus on applying systems biology solutions to algae with the goal of significantly increasing oil yield and improving resistance to crop predators and environmental factors in order to further the advancement of commercialized algae biofuel production.

ABO supports algae biofuels sustainability report

Luke Geiver, Biomass Magazine — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:14:00 GMT

The Algae Biomass Organization has responded to the recently released National Research Council report on the sustainability of algae-based biofuel, applauding the report’s findings that any current concerns over sustainability as it relates to algal biofuel production, “are not a barrier to future growth.”

Algae Biomass Organization Applauds National Research Council Report That Finds Algal Fuels Can Increase Energy Security and Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions in a Sustainable Manner

Algae Biomass Organization — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:03:00 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Oct 24, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The Algae Biomass Organization today applauded the findings of a new National Research Council (NRC) report on the sustainability of algal fuels that definitively concluded that sustainability concerns are not a barrier to future growth.

According to the NRC report released today, "The committee does not consider any one of these sustainability concerns a definitive barrier to sustainable development of algal biofuels because mitigation strategies for each of those concerns have been proposed and are being developed.

Will algae become a growth business?

Marc Gunther, GreenBiz — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:43:00 GMT

Algae are fascinating little creatures. They’re easy to grow (as anyone with an outdoor swimming pool knows), they grow fast, they consume a waste product (CO2) and they make oil. It’s no wonder that for nearly half a century, scientists have tried to unlock the energy potential in algae.

Green Crude: The Quest to Unlock Algae’s Energy Potential

Marc Gunther, YaleE360 — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:15:00 GMT

A host of startup companies are pursuing new technologies that they claim will soon lead to large-scale commercialization of biofuels made from algae. But questions remain about the viability and environmental benefits of what its developers are calling “green crude.”

Algae Are a Growing Part of San Diego's Appeal

Karen E. Klein, Bloomberg Businessweek — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:13:00 GMT

In 2006, rising oil prices prompted molecular biologist Stephen Mayfield to shift his research from algae’s medical uses to turning the green goo into green crude. His work prompted a handful of biotech entrepreneurs to found Sapphire Energy in San Diego in 2007 in the hope of producing the sustainable fuel commercially.

Sapphire Energy marks new milestone

BIOMASS Magazine — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:45:00 GMT

Algae oil producer Sapphire Energy Inc. has completed the first phase of its commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility, the Green Crude Farm. Construction of the first phase began in June 2011 and was completed on time and on budget.