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Inter-County Energy joins algae research

August 26, 2010

Coal-based flue gas is released from a generator at Dale Station on the Kentucky River, supplying carbon and nitrogen to water-filled reactor tubes that contain the algae culture. The algae sequester the carbon and nitrogen from the flue gas. (Photo submitted)

It sounds like science fiction, but it could turn out to be science fact.

Alltech, a global animal health company based in Nicholasville, Inter-County Energy Cooperative and its power supplier, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, have joined a research project to study using algae to capture the carbon dioxide that is produced when coal is burned to make electricity for homes or businesses.

Instead of releasing power plant emissions into the atmosphere, they can be used as food to grow algae as a source of oils, proteins and carbohydrates, which will soon yield valuable byproducts, such as feed stock for animals and biofuels that will run your car.

Inter-County’s power supplier is conducting an ongoing experiment to explore this idea at its Dale Station generating plant in rural Clark County, in partnership with Alltech.

“Our co-op has formed a partnership with Alltech’s scientific experts to see if algae can be used to capture carbon dioxide so that it can be converted into food,” said Jim Jacobus, president and CEO. “The experiment may be continued later at EKPC’s Spurlock Station in Mason County, as well.”

“Seventy percent of the world’s oxygen comes from algae,” said Alltech CEO T.P. Lyons. “It is the world’s single most important microorganism. We’re excited about harnessing this incredible raw material, while working with the co-ops to capture carbon dioxide.”

Algae need carbon and nitrogen to grow. In the ongoing experiment, the coal-based flue gas is released from the power plant generator supplying the required carbon and nitrogen. It is piped into water-filled reactor tubes that contain the algae culture. The algae sequester the carbon and nitrogen from the flue gas and grow, producing a product rich in oil, proteins and carbohydrates.

“While the study is small scale, the results are promising,” Jacobus said. “It is possible that the work might be expanded to a larger-scale research project. Algae could help to solve a global problem.”

“Algae could become as synonymous with Kentucky as coal is,” Lyons said.

For more information, call Sheree H. Gilliam, vice president of customer services, at (859) 236-4561 or toll-free at (888) 266-7322.

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