The photosynthesis energy factory - Analysis, synthesis, and demonstration

The Photosynthesis Energy Factory is a synergistic combination of the dry land Energy Plantation and an algae production system which can produce, on a perpetually renewable basis, unpolluting and totally domestic fuels from solar energy and various residues. From the Energy Plantation, woody plant matter is produced which is chipped and used as a solid fuel in a power plant to produce electricity. The algae production system uses the nutrients in wastewater and the CO2 in power plant flue gas to produce algae, which are harvested and ultimately digested anaerobically to produce methane. Digester sludge is disposed of in a beneficial way by being put onto the Energy Plantation. A comprehensive techno-economic model is being developed for a systems analysis. Potential sites for a demonstration project are being analyzed and selected. The final task in this project is to develop a preliminary design and associated cost estimates for a proposed demonstration.