In 2008, Bebout and Associates teamed with Enegis LLC to develop a project to demonstrate that algae could be grown outdoors, year-round, for the purpose of producing biofuels and valuable by-products.   In May 2008, Enegis LLC and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) signed a collaborative research agreement to build a series of ponds to research algae for the production of biofuels.  Enegis and Bebout were responsible for the design and building of heated, open ponds while UNR concentrated on identifying and culturing high lipid/starch producing species which were hardy enough to survive outdoors.

Bebout and Enegis designed and constructed a series of four approximately 20,000 liter ponds which would permit multiple experiments to be conducted simultaneously. This is especially important for isolating factors affecting the algae's growth and productivity. Two of the ponds were to be used primarily as evaporation ponds but could easily be adapted to grow algae if desired.  Four 3,000 gallon tanks were provided for water storage, chemical mixing and algae settling.  Heat for the ponds is provided by a simulated geothermal water heat exchanger.  Water movement is accomplished with a proprietary Bernoulli water jet system.

In November 2008, the ponds were inoculated for the first time.  Despite sub-freezing temperatures and major wind events, the algae flourished.  The algae were harvested in December 2008.  A second crop was harvested in April 2009.  Current plans call for monthly to bi-monthly algae crops as various factors affecting productivity are tested and quantified.

Our Nevada project is ongoing as new algae varieties are studied and improvements to the pond system are made.  UNR is currently building additional ponds to support additional research.