Navy receives algal-derived fuel

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Renewable oil production company Solazyme, Inc., completed delivery of more than 20,000 gallons of algal-derived shipboard fuel to the U.S. Navy.

The company also announced in a news release it signed a new contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for a research and development project that will produce 150,000 additional gallons in 2010-11 -- 7.5 times more than the previous order, which was the world's largest delivery of 100 percent microbial-derived, non-alcohol, advanced biofuel.

"We are excited by the new (Defense Department) contract, which calls for much larger volumes of Soladiesel HRF-76 Renewable Naval Distillate fuel, and view its signing on the heels of our successful delivery as strong validation of Solazyme's technology and of our prospects to provide meaningful quantities of low carbon fuels for our national defense," said Solazyme Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Wolfson.

"Working with the Navy, DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) Energy and the (Defense Department) to collectively lead the drive for advanced low carbon fuels is an honor. Our renewable oil production technology which results in a 100 percent military-spec, drop-in replacement fuel from algae can be a significant component of the Navy's long-term strategy to supply 50 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020."

Solazyme, Inc. is a renewable oil and bioproducts company and a leader in algal biotechnology. Founded in 2003 and with headquarters in South San Francisco,

Calif., Solazyme's technology enables the production of oil and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale.

The company said the delivery of 20,000 gallons delivery satisfied a contract announced in 2009 and included refining partner Honeywell's UOP and their proprietary UOP/Eni Ecofining process technology.

The fuel will be tested and certified by the Navy.

F-76, of which HRF-76 is the renewable version, is the primary shipboard fuel used by the Navy.