ABB (Zurich, Switzerland; www.abb.com) has announced that it is collaborating with Renewable Algal Energy, LLC (RAE; Johnson City, Tenn.; www.rae-energy.com) on the commercialization of integrated algal production systems that will produce algaeâ€based products for the nutraceutical, animal nutrition, and renewable fuels markets. The OEM systems were developed and tested at RAE’s facility in Tuscon, Ariz. The first commercial application is scheduled to be operating in the fourth quarter of 2014.
“We are honored that ABB has selected to work with RAE in the development of infrastructure for RAE’s unique technology in complete integrated algal production systems,” stated Jeffrey S. Kanel, CEO of RAE. “To have the global leader in power and automation technologies as a strategic partner is a huge endorsement of RAE’s ability to commercialize our technology in the creation of sustainable algal products.”
RAE will produce the equipment that harvest and extract algae and its co-products, including oil, for renewable fuels, as well as proteins and carotenoids for animal feed and nutritional supplements. The scalable systems are designed for medium to large-scale algae farms, up to 2,000 hectares (10,000 square meters). ABB will supply 800xA control systems, instrumentation, low-voltage electrical equipment and variable-speed drives that will help those integrated algal-production systems operate efficiently and reliably. In addition to process control, 800xA provides remote access to the base control room on each algae farm, so that multiple locations can be viewed and managed by one operator.