By Robert Henrikson and Mark Edwards, Algae Alliance

Achieving sustained profitability in algae production.

The global market for algae food, feed, biofuels and other forms of energy is an emerging industry that faces three major hurdles: production, secrecy and visibility. Algae producers need to solve a defined set of production issues in order to achieve profitability. Unfortunately, solutions are severely hampered by intellectual property concerns that constrain the science of discovery. Algae has limited visibility because the algae production systems that exist are guarded; fenced off from public view. We created an initiative that addresses production, sharing and visibility.

The International Algae Competition at www.AlgaeCompetition.com offers an open source collaboratory that expands and shares a vision for algae in our future with design ideas for algae production landscapes, sustainable and affordable algae production systems (APS) for food, feed, energy, nutrients, water remediation, carbon capture and fine medicines, and superb new algae foods.

The Competition is open to everyone, anywhere in the world: algae enthusiasts, architects, builders, designers, scientists, entrepreneurs, growers, food developers, cooks, students and teams. Registration is online at www.algaecompetition.com, the official website with all details and guidelines. Registration is open now through September 11, 2011, with submission deadline October 11, 2011. Finalists will be announced February 12, 2012. The Competition has three tracks. Entries will be judged by distinguished panels of international jurors.

Track 1: Algae Landscape Design: How will algae production be integrated into future landscapes, farms and eco-communities and what will they look like and how will they work? Design integrated APS into future landscapes, farms, coastlines, cities, infrastructure, buildings and eco-communities.

Track 2: Algae Production Systems (APS): What are the best designs, engineering and systems for algae production to work effectively and economically on a community scale or distributed model? Develop working models and designs for APS and microfarms.

Track 3: Algae Food Development: What will be the next algae foods and recipes and the future uses of algae as a food and feed ingredient that will transform our health? Create menus and new food products incorporating algae as a featured ingredient.

We will showcase designs, APS and algae foods online in this open source competition. Over $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to winners. Finalists will receive international media recognition and will be included in books, publications and exhibitions to be held around the world in 2012.

Algae Alliance connects algae professionals who work independently and together to strengthen the algae industry. We believe the Algae Competition will expand global engagement by providing visual pictures and videos of growers cultivating algae successfully. The initiative will raise awareness, interest and desire for algae products including food, feed, biofuels, biomedicines, biofertilizers, energy and pollution solutions.

Algae are nature’s first and most resource-efficient life form. Algae can create a future of abundance through affordable and locally produced food and energy. Thirty times more productive than conventional crops, algae use cheap and abundant resources such as stack gasses from power plants and waste water that will not run out. Algae will provide sustainable and affordable food and energy for ecological living.

Algae Competition invites jurors to participate by offering their experience and expertise to evaluate entries. Exciting media partners and sponsorship opportunities are available in awards, movie channel, exhibitions and publications.

For details, visit: www.AlgaeCompetition.com .
For questions or involvement, contact:
Mark Edwards- drmetrics@cox.net.
Robert Henrikson- roberthe@sonic.net.
www.AlgaeAlliance.com. www.AlgaeCompetition.com.

View the PDF flier here: International Algae Competition Launch Flier