Algae-to-ethanol provides a greater economy of scale than corn ethanol. It takes approximately 20 million acres of corn to produce 7 billion gallons of ethanol (2008), while one quarter of non-arable desert (5 million acres) has the potential to produce 50 billion gallons of ethanol or more.

• Corn produces 340-360 gallons per acre per year of ethanol.

• Sugarcane produces 870-890 gallons per acre per year of ethanol.

• Algenol can produce at the rate of over 6,000 gallons per acre per year of ethanol.

• Algenol will exceed its target 10,000 gallons per acre per year by the end of 2008.

For 100 million gallons of ethanol

Corn = 280,000 acres 430 sq miles (20.8 miles x 20.8 miles)
Algae = 10,000 acres 16 sq miles (3.95 miles x 3.95 miles)