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Solazyme receives Department of Defense contract for biofuel
Defense Energy Support Center, which is part of a Department of Defense support agency, has said it awarded a contract to conduct further work on an alternative fuel based on algae oil to San Francisco-based firm Solazyme.
The contract is worth $8.5 million and will allow the company to evaluate the technology which uses genetic engineering to stimulate algae to produce a diesel fuel that is an alternative to petroleum produced from crude oil. As such, it is expected to have the dual benefit of lower pollution and greater energy independence.
"DESC's mission is to provide the DoD [and] other government agencies with energy solutions in the most efficient and economical manner possible," says Kim Huntley, director of DESC.
"With the growing technology in the alternative fuels and renewable energy field, our energy solutions continue to expand, and this first step with algae oil [shows we] are moving forward," he adds.
In a related development, the agency also revealed that Seattle-based Sustainable Oils was awarded a contract for 40,000 gallons of camelina feedstock-derived Hydrotreated Renewable HRJ-5 fuel.
Those who would like to participate in the development of the new generation of biofuels, and pursue rewarding business career opportunities, may consider enrolling in an associate, diploma, bachelors, masters or doctoral program in environmental sciences as demand for green specialists is projected to grow by 25 percent over the next several years. 
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