Advanced Biofuels

Convergence of Clean Tech and Biotech

The greater San Diego region, including the Imperial Valley, is actively pursuing becoming a leading producer of renewable fuels and petrochemical products from algae and other bio sources. This work leverages the core assets of the region and when successful will help the region, state and nation achieve energy independence and achieve greenhouse gas reductions while creating jobs across the economic spectrum (high skill, high wage and agricultural jobs).  The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) completed a study in 2009 commissioned by the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology (SD-CAB) which showed the algae industry, even in its early stage, to contribute over $60 million in economic activity and over 500 jobs to San Diego. The region possesses unique and diverse assets that transcend both the clean tech and biotech sectors and position us for success.

Known as the Biofuels Initiative and jointly managed by CleanTECH San Diego, BIOCOM and the San Diego Regional EDC, this active coalition brings together the following regional assets all focused on a single goal:  commercialization and application.

University Research:  SD-CAB, UC San Diego, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and others contribute world class discovery and technology advancements;

Market Connectivity Organizations:  CleanTECH San Diego and BIOCOM contribute critical access to the private sector and local government, including the close to 30 algae and biofuels companies currently housed in the San Diego region.  

Economic Development:  The San Diego and Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporations bring a focus on commercialization, cost reduction and net job growth.  In particular, the Imperial Valley is well positioned to serve as a grower/producer of algae as a crop, bringing much needed economic relief to a depressed region.

The Biofuels Initiative provides an important and consistent forum for its public and private participants to share information and discoveries and discuss the challenges and opportunities of the sector.  With these assets and the further support of iHub designation, the Biofuels Initiative can accelerate its collaborative work to build a biofuels cluster that creates jobs and economic opportunity while solving core energy challenges.