New algae learning center at the College of Sant Fe, New Mexico

1. A Proposed Algae IndustryTraining Program Presented to the National Algae Association April 30, 2009 by Charles Bensinger NAA Education Director Director, Alternative Fuels Program for SFCC VP, Eldorado Biofuels

2. We Need An Algae Education Program to Accelerate our Domestic Algae Industry Why? To diversify our energy supply To ensure U.S. economic health and security To address critical environmental concerns To foster innovative approaches to algae production To generate public support for new algae industry To create significant numbers of new “green jobs”

3. Critical Educational and Training Components Basic math and biochemistry with emphasis on biology of algae Understanding of key process technologies: i.e. open reactor, closed bioreactor and hybrid systems Understanding of mechanical (pumps and valves) and AC/DC systems Lab and systems safety training Water and Waste Management Analytics training for monitoring and data gathering Management and operational knowledge of systems In-field, hands-on experience Webcasts, virtual tours and DVD instructional media

4. Employment Opportunities Plant Technician Plant Manager Laboratory Technician Sales Manager Public Relations and Outreach Process Coordinator Business Owner

5. Program Dissemination Concepts – Possible Delivery Systems Short courses and workshops: 1 to 2 weeks at various locations, perhaps sponsored by NAA Central training facilities with on-going programs, perhaps located at one or more sites. Certificate, Associate or science degree programs could be offered through Community and State Colleges. Use mobile lab. Development of National Certification Program Development of process workbook/handbook Distance Learning Training with webcasts and DVDs

6. Possible components of an algae education programThree Concepts: Create a centralized organizing entity to help develop an efficient educational delivery system and provide informational and human resources to those in need of such resources. Create a decentralized network of partner “nodes” that receive and actively gather information resources and share it with the partners who then redistribute it out to the public and the network. A hybrid of the two

7. Step 1: Research Existing Models Research biofuels curriculum in other colleges and visit programs if possible Try to ascertain student qualifications, interest levels and individual goals Use as much existing curriculum as possible, but new courses will need to be created, i.e. courses focused on the biochemistry of algae and the systems needed to grow and process algae.

8. Step 2:Find an appropriate physical site to host a carefully designed educational program

9. One example: The Santa Fe Community CollegeAlternative Fuels Program to begin in the Fall of 2009 Purpose: To train students to develop the knowledge and skills to work in the algae biofuels industry or create their own biofuels businesses. How funded: One-year $110,000 NM Dept of Workplace Solutions “green jobs” creation grant.

10. CERTIFICATE IN ALTERNATIVE FUELS Core Requirements (18 hours) ENVR 112 Introduction to Sustainable Technologies(3) ALTF 111 Intro to AltFuels and Advanced Vehicle Technologies (3) BIOL 111 Intro to Biology BIOL 111L Intro to Biology Lab ALTF 121 Biofuels I L: Survey of Biofuels and their Manufacture (4) ALTF 221 Biofuels II L: Biofuels Production; the Biology of Algae (4) Related Requirements (8 hours) CHEM 111 Introduction to Chemistry (3) CHEM 111L Introduction to Chemistry Lab (1) MATH 114 Electrical and Mechanical Fundamentals (4) BSAD 119 Planning the Entrepreneurial Venture (3)

11. Aerial View of SFCC Campus: 577,000 sq. ft.

12. New $11 M Sustainable Technology Center to begin construction in 2009, ready by Fall Semester of 2010

15. Step 3:Try to find local algae and biofuel business partners willing to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and hopefully near-term job prospects An example in New Mexico ----

16. Current partners helping to develop Training Programs Santa Fe Community College (New Mexico):Received $110,000 WIRED grant from NM Dept of Workforce Solutions to create Alternative Fuels training program. Eldorado Biofuels (New Mexico): Has goal of providing operations training for future industry workers Center for Excellence in Hazardous Materials Management (CHEMM), (New Mexico): Has open ponds and lab technicians available to provide tech assistance and short-term workshops. Sapphire Energy (New Mexico): has voiced support for training program and will need workers. Origin Oil (Los Angeles): Has expressed support for training program.

17. New Mexico Algae Partners:VM Technology, Santa Fe Algae Production Field Bioreactor

18. Eldorado Biofuels LLC of Santa Fe Algae Production in Lab Local Algae Strains

19. Eldorado Biofuels’ Missionis to prepare algae industry workers for employment by providing technician & operator training. Eldorado Biofuels is currently building oil-and gas-field produced water clean-up and purification technologies to enable saline strains of algae to grow in produced water. Initial trials have demonstrated that algae will grow rapidly in water processed by UVOX-type reactor. UVOX Reactor

20. The Center for Excellence in Hazardous Materials Management (CEHMM), Carlsbad/Artesia, NM Original Aquatic Species Algae Incubator from Roswell, NM located at CEHMM algae facility at Artesia, NM

21. Algae Incubation Tanks and Greenhouse

22. 1/8th acre, 25,000 gallon Algae Pond Algae Raceway

23. Algae Paste Centrifuge CEHMM has constructed ponds filled with mixture of brine and freshwater to optimize environment for selected saline algae species. High levels of lipids have been extracted from its algae paste.

24. Renewable Energy Partners –A non-profit retail biofuels provider Dispensers designed and operated by Renewable Energy Partners of New Mexico REP Created First Triple-Biofuels Pump in US

25. Promote the local use of biofuels:The NM RailRunner, Albuquerque to Santa Fe, isthefirst US Commuter Train to use Biodiesel B20

26. Your Help is Needed to Create a Successful National Training Program Critical Tasks: Create organizational structure Develop teams of instructors Identify basic equipment packages Acquire equipment for training courses Determine necessary levels of math, biology and chemistry skills Identify industry partners willing to provide on-site experience for future operators, technicians and managers Create video documentation material for workshops

27. Next Steps Expand collaborative of educational and industry partners Develop curriculum for possible national certification program Identify best training practices for students. Develop teacher training programs and course handbook. Develop and provide standard algae cultivation and processing equipment package for schools. Secure funding for instructional materials and programs

28. Contact Info: Charles Bensinger NAADirector of Education Director, Alternative Fuels, SFCC Vice President, Eldorado Biofuels LLC newworld@timewindow.com 505-466-4259 Office 505-670-2474 Cell