Algae.Tec (ALGXY) has designed a prototype bioreactor that uses carbon dioxide and sunlight to drive algae growth. The algae is supposed to be harvested for conversion into fuel. Let's walk through their technology to see if their business model is viable.
One metric ton of algae has an energy content equal to seven barrels of oil, according to this company. One Algae.Tec 40-foot container can produce 250 tons of algae per year (they claim). The company's projections envision a configuration of 500 containers producing 125K metric tons algae per year. That configuration will be difficult to reliably achieve due to the space required for sunlight collection. Algae.Tec's parabolic solar collection system requires about 1/2 of a hectare to emplace the collectors. Their business model envisions these container installations adjacent to existing fossil fuel power plants so the carbon dioxide captured from the plant's generation can feed the algae reaction inside the containers. How many mixed-use power plants in the world have at least 250 hectares of empty real estate around their plants for the assembly of these containers and their solar collectors? That, and the willingness of utilities to buy adjacent land for expansion, will determine whether Algae.Tec's plan is scalable.
Consider the potential financial returns. Oil is now priced at about $100/bbl, so one Algae.Tec container can yield (7x250) no more than 1750 bbls/yr, worth $175K/yr in gross revenue. That's the equivalent of a small oil well. Algae.Tec claims an all-in cost of production at around $47/bbl (perhaps lower), so one container will yield ($53x1750) about $92,750/yr in net income at current oil prices. It's important to remember that the oil will probably have to be trucked to refineries because most coal/gas power plants don't have petroleum pipelines leading out from their facility. Trucking small batches of algae oil to refineries will be costly, unless the company can further refine the algae oil on site directly into biodiesel. If the final product from these cogeneration facilities is biodiesel, it can be sold directly to local gas station franchises. The amount of algae each container will yield also depends on regular sunlight and carbon dioxide inputs. Power plants in cold northern climates will not have year-round sunshine. Algae.Tec's facilities will thus be most viable in places like the American Southwest.
My analysis does not include the value of other products like animal feed that can come from this process. That can add to the net income of $92,750/container. Algae.Tec is thinking big by planning 500-container installations that can produce a net income stream of over $46M/yr by my math, but space requirements are everything. Their pilot plant in Australia needs to prove that the whole integrated concept can work before they pursue cogeneration and carbon capture agreements with utilities.
This stock is very thinly traded for something with a market cap over $100M, with daily volume in the mere hundreds. The inventors of their core technology hold 78% of the stock. That makes it difficult for individual investors to exit a long position. It appears that their Pink Sheet listing is brand new.
Frankly, I find this stock intriguing. Most of its initial installations will be small and geographically limited to sunny climates but the income per container is valuable to utilities that need affordable cogeneration options and carbon capture tax credits. I'm skeptical that the 500-module configuration will work everywhere, but as long as Algae.Tec keeps its costs low and has accurately estimated its production then the concept can attract the interest of utilities. This one actually has some promise. Let's see if they deliver.
Full disclosure: No position in ALGXY at this time.
One metric ton of algae has an energy content equal to seven barrels of oil, according to this company. One Algae.Tec 40-foot container can produce 250 tons of algae per year (they claim). The company's projections envision a configuration of 500 containers producing 125K metric tons algae per year. That configuration will be difficult to reliably achieve due to the space required for sunlight collection. Algae.Tec's parabolic solar collection system requires about 1/2 of a hectare to emplace the collectors. Their business model envisions these container installations adjacent to existing fossil fuel power plants so the carbon dioxide captured from the plant's generation can feed the algae reaction inside the containers. How many mixed-use power plants in the world have at least 250 hectares of empty real estate around their plants for the assembly of these containers and their solar collectors? That, and the willingness of utilities to buy adjacent land for expansion, will determine whether Algae.Tec's plan is scalable.
Consider the potential financial returns. Oil is now priced at about $100/bbl, so one Algae.Tec container can yield (7x250) no more than 1750 bbls/yr, worth $175K/yr in gross revenue. That's the equivalent of a small oil well. Algae.Tec claims an all-in cost of production at around $47/bbl (perhaps lower), so one container will yield ($53x1750) about $92,750/yr in net income at current oil prices. It's important to remember that the oil will probably have to be trucked to refineries because most coal/gas power plants don't have petroleum pipelines leading out from their facility. Trucking small batches of algae oil to refineries will be costly, unless the company can further refine the algae oil on site directly into biodiesel. If the final product from these cogeneration facilities is biodiesel, it can be sold directly to local gas station franchises. The amount of algae each container will yield also depends on regular sunlight and carbon dioxide inputs. Power plants in cold northern climates will not have year-round sunshine. Algae.Tec's facilities will thus be most viable in places like the American Southwest.
My analysis does not include the value of other products like animal feed that can come from this process. That can add to the net income of $92,750/container. Algae.Tec is thinking big by planning 500-container installations that can produce a net income stream of over $46M/yr by my math, but space requirements are everything. Their pilot plant in Australia needs to prove that the whole integrated concept can work before they pursue cogeneration and carbon capture agreements with utilities.
This stock is very thinly traded for something with a market cap over $100M, with daily volume in the mere hundreds. The inventors of their core technology hold 78% of the stock. That makes it difficult for individual investors to exit a long position. It appears that their Pink Sheet listing is brand new.
Frankly, I find this stock intriguing. Most of its initial installations will be small and geographically limited to sunny climates but the income per container is valuable to utilities that need affordable cogeneration options and carbon capture tax credits. I'm skeptical that the 500-module configuration will work everywhere, but as long as Algae.Tec keeps its costs low and has accurately estimated its production then the concept can attract the interest of utilities. This one actually has some promise. Let's see if they deliver.
Full disclosure: No position in ALGXY at this time.
