Living With Ed’
Actor Begley keeps it real and green
Niland algae plant tapped by star
SUNECO ENERGY:
Turns plant form into biofuel.
By DAVID STEFFEN
Staff Writer Dateline: NILAND
Ed Begley Jr. of Planet Green’s reality show “Living with Ed” visited SunEco Energy facilities in Niland on Monday to learn more about algae-derived biofuel.
The ecologically minded Begley learned about a new source of biofuel developed here in the Imperial Valley.
Using organic plant material commonly found in bodies of water, SunEco Energy strives to power cars and other motorized vehicles with a renewable and clean source of energy.
“We were happy to have him choose SunEco Energy as the leading algae energy company in the world,” said SunEco Energy General Manager Ray Babb.
SunEco Energy showed Begley the process of turning algae into usable biofuels.
Begley, who drove to Niland in a hybrid Toyota Prius, saw firsthand the process of turning algae — microscopic aquatic plant matter — into biofuels that can power vehicles.
SunEco Energy could pro-
duce 13.2 million gallons of algae biofuel with its algae pond setup. The company will finish a processing plant in January.
Babb said one surface acre of algae yields 33,000 gallons of biofuel. There are 400 acres of ponds.
Babb said Begley was impressed with the process and the potential algae-based biofuels hold for the future. Seeing algae-based gasoline was a novelty for Begley, Babb said. “He never saw anything like it — not to this level,” Babb said.
An interview with Begley was not allowed per Discovery Channel rules, a spokeswoman at the scene said. The network is the parent company of “Living with Ed.” The show highlights Begley’s efforts to lead a green lifestyle, according to the show’s Web site. “Living with Ed” focuses on Begley and his wife, Rachelle, who was also present in Niland. Rachelle, who loves her husband, must adjust to his green ways, according to the show’s Web site.
Babb said algae-based fuel is the wave of the future. He said that unlike corn-based ethanol, harvesting algae for fuel would not have an impact on food supplies. He said utilizing large amounts of corn for ethanol takes away from the food supply and raises the price of corn. SunEco Energy could yield a full, mature crop of algae from its ponds every 30 days to prepare for biofuel, Babb said.
The resulting fuel would then proceed to Los Angeles, where it would have to undergo further processing, much like traditional petroleum.
Babb said algae may become the wave of the future for fuel and may increase the nation’s energy independence on the world stage.
“It’s just one step closer to getting America off foreign oil,” he said.
The program will air in February.
>> Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 1-760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com
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duce 13.2 million gallons of algae biofuel with its algae pond setup. The company will finish a processing plant in January.
Babb said one surface acre of algae yields 33,000 gallons of biofuel. There are 400 acres of ponds.
Babb said Begley was impressed with the process and the potential algae-based biofuels hold for the future. Seeing algae-based gasoline was a novelty for Begley, Babb said. “He never saw anything like it — not to this level,” Babb said.
An interview with Begley was not allowed per Discovery Channel rules, a spokeswoman at the scene said. The network is the parent company of “Living with Ed.” The show highlights Begley’s efforts to lead a green lifestyle, according to the show’s Web site. “Living with Ed” focuses on Begley and his wife, Rachelle, who was also present in Niland. Rachelle, who loves her husband, must adjust to his green ways, according to the show’s Web site.
Babb said algae-based fuel is the wave of the future. He said that unlike corn-based ethanol, harvesting algae for fuel would not have an impact on food supplies. He said utilizing large amounts of corn for ethanol takes away from the food supply and raises the price of corn. SunEco Energy could yield a full, mature crop of algae from its ponds every 30 days to prepare for biofuel, Babb said.
The resulting fuel would then proceed to Los Angeles, where it would have to undergo further processing, much like traditional petroleum.
Babb said algae may become the wave of the future for fuel and may increase the nation’s energy independence on the world stage.
“It’s just one step closer to getting America off foreign oil,” he said.
The program will air in February.
>> Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 1-760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com |
