Alganomics is a Southport-based biotechnology company focused on culturing algae for biomass and renewable fuel applications. Operating from the Oak Island Biological Treatment and Water Reuse Facility, the company works at the intersection of biofuels development, environmental remediation, and sustainable energy innovation.
As part of its broader mission to advance environmentally responsible fuel technologies, Alganomics sought renewable energy systems that could directly support the operational demands of algae cultivation. The goal was to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint while demonstrating how multiple forms of renewable energy could work together within a real-world biofuel production environment.
The project required integrating renewable energy into a specialized algae cultivation process with unique operational demands. The system needed to support energy-intensive circulation and aeration functions while fitting within the constraints of an active treatment and research facility.
In addition, the project aimed to demonstrate multiple renewable technologies working together cohesively, combining photovoltaic solar with hybrid wind systems in a way that supported both performance and public visibility.
The solar and wind systems were designed to directly support algae biomass production processes, reducing dependence on conventional grid electricity.
By combining solar panels with hybrid windmills, the project created a diversified renewable energy approach capable of supporting different operational loads throughout the cultivation process.
The installation utilized SunPower™ E19 high-efficiency panels to maximize energy generation within a limited footprint.
The project brought together public and private organizations focused on renewable energy adoption, environmental remediation, and sustainable innovation across North Carolina.
The final installation included a 4.8 kW solar electric system composed of twenty SunPower™ 240W panels paired with hybrid windmills integrated into the algae cultivation facility.
The solar array offsets energy used for fluid circulation during the biomass creation process, while the hybrid windmills provide compressed air to the photobioreactors. Together, the systems generate over 7 MWh of renewable electricity annually while supporting core operational functions within the biofuel production process.
The project was made possible through a NC Green Business Fund grant funded through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), along with collaboration between Alganomics, Cape Fear Solar Systems, Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative, NC GreenPower, the NC Department of Commerce, and the Town of Oak Island.
The renewable energy systems help offset operational electricity costs associated with algae cultivation and biomass production, reducing long-term energy expenses for the facility.
Solar and hybrid wind generation now directly support critical cultivation functions, including fluid circulation and aeration within the photobioreactors. The project demonstrates how renewable energy can integrate into specialized industrial and research environments.
This project demonstrates how renewable energy technologies can work together to support the development of future renewable fuels. By integrating solar and wind directly into algae cultivation operations, Alganomics created a system where renewable energy helps produce renewable energy.
The project also highlights the role of collaboration in advancing sustainability initiatives. Through partnerships between private industry, local government, utilities, and state organizations, the installation became a model for innovative clean energy development in North Carolina.
"Our mission at Alganomics is to make a significant difference in our community, state, and nation by becoming more environmentally responsible and sustainable within the biofuels industry, and this project is certainly supporting our goal." — Dr. Kimberly Jones, Founder & CSO, Alganomics