Alphabet, the company behind Google, puts money into a project making fuel from algae. This new investment targets a startup named Volta Greentech. Volta Greentech grows algae to create renewable fuel. Alphabet’s money comes through its venture capital arm. This investment supports efforts to find cleaner energy sources.
(Google’s parent company Alphabet invests in algae fuel)
The technology works by growing specific types of algae quickly. These algae consume carbon dioxide during their growth. Factories can capture this CO2 directly from the air. The algae then transform the captured carbon into oil. This oil gets processed into usable fuel. The process aims to be sustainable and carbon-neutral.
Alphabet sees this as a promising step for fighting climate change. Traditional fuels release large amounts of greenhouse gases. Algae fuel offers a potential alternative. It could power vehicles without adding extra carbon to the atmosphere. The goal is creating a fuel that doesn’t harm the planet. This fits Alphabet’s wider goals for environmental sustainability.
Volta Greentech will use the new funds to expand its research. They plan to build larger algae production facilities. Scaling up the technology is crucial for making it practical. The company also aims to bring costs down significantly. Making algae fuel affordable is key for wider adoption. Real-world testing of the fuel is also part of their next phase.
(Google’s parent company Alphabet invests in algae fuel)
Algae farming requires specific conditions like sunlight and water. Volta Greentech uses efficient systems to manage this. Their approach minimizes land and resource use. This makes the process more efficient than some biofuel crops. The potential market for sustainable aviation fuel is particularly large. Airlines need cleaner options to meet future regulations. Algae could provide a solution here. Production is expected to increase steadily over the next few years.
