LAS CRUCES - It was a fair question: Is there anyplace else in the desert where more algae can be found than Sapphire Energy's research and development facility at the West Mesa Industrial Park.
Denise Gitsham, Sapphire's director of corporate affairs and legislative council, didn't pause with the answer.
"No," Gitsham said. "There are algae farms, particularly in California, but not for this kind of purpose."
Gitsham and Bryn Davis, New Mexico operations manager for Sapphire, led U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., on a tour Tuesday of the company's West Mesa facility. Davis mused that the tour was a crash course in "Algae 101," as Udall and others who tagged along got a quick overview of Sapphire's work to convert algae into biofuel.
Algae, in the general sense, is simply considered seaweed to most people. So how does seaweed in the desert, miles away from the ocean, translate into biofuel?
"We need heat and we need sunlight to turn algae into fuel," Gitsham said. "Las Cruces and southern New Mexico have an abundance of those two key ingredients needed."
Gitsham added that it really shouldn't be considered odd that algae and the desert go together.
"Algae is the most harvestable crop in the world," she said. "What's exciting is that New Mexico is ground zero for this new technology, this new use."
Davis had revelations of his own. Most of the algae used at the West Mesa facility is grown locally, and where it has been harvested from might also be surprising to many.
"There are two strains that are particular to New Mexico," Davis said. "We can find those in places like sewage ponds, cattle (water) tanks, and irrigation ditches. We've hit about every available water source we could find in southern New Mexico."
Oil can be extracted from algae, and that's why it's also called green crude. Sapphire Energy's research and development of changing algae into biofuel began in May 2007, and already the company is considered one of the 50 hottest in bioenergy research.
It has produced "green" gasoline from a synthetic crude oil made from algae that company officials said meets fuel quality standards and is completely compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure.
Gasoline produced from the green crude had a 91 octane rating while meeting fuel quality standards.
The innovations in development of biofuel are not lost on Udall, who Gitsham said has been a strong supporter in Congress for alternative energy research and development.
"This is exciting," said Udall, after his tour of Sapphire's operations. "This will be a great opportunity for the state to become a leader in clean energy development, and it will also benefit us through all of the 'green' jobs that will come from this.
"Yes, this is an oasis in the desert."
Gitsham said Udall's feelings are important in bringing about a greater public understanding of biofuel development and increased federal assistance to help the relatively new industry grow. That support could make a difference in the future.
"Algae hasn't been recognized, but Senator Udall has been a major help in getting that recognition," Gitsham said. "This research and development has the potential to make a profound difference in our futures."
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.
A jewel in the desert
• Sapphire Energy, a "green" energy company that produces oil made from algae, has established a research and development facility at the West Mesa Industrial Park.
• The company has operated there since New Year's Day 2009.
• Almost all of the people employed by Sapphire at its West Mesa facility are from New Mexico.
• Altogether, Sapphire employs about 140 people at its corporate offices in San Diego and in Las Cruces.
• The company plans to break ground in late August or early September on a 300-acre commercial demonstration facility in Columbus.
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