Posted: July 2, 2008

Nobody is in a better position to analyze the numerous new technologies being developed in an effort to save the world from its energy crisis than Mike Millikin, head of the authoritative web site Green Car Congress. So what’s the most incredibly exciting, mind-blowing new technology on Millikin’s radar screen?

Bugs.

That’s right. Bugs.

Not just any bugs, of course. These are genetically-engineered microorganisms capable of converting microalgae directly into hydrocarbons. In other words, these are bugs that function like an oil refinery, converting readily-available plant life into transportation fuel. “I just put it in my car and run,” says Millikin.

But why are these engineered bugs more important than any other new energy technology? Millikin told EnergyTechStocks.com that no matter what new kinds of cars are introduced, the global energy and environmental crises will remain because of the hundreds of millions of gas-fueled vehicles that will be on the road for at least another 10 to 15 years.

The key in the short term, according to Millikin, is to develop hydrocarbon fuels that cost less than oil. “And that’s why, to me, the synthetic biotech companies that are trying to crank out 89 octane from the little buggers are the (biggest thing going) in the short-to-medium term,” Millikin told EnergyTechStocks.com.

Investors’ takeaway from this is that two privately-held biotech firms, LS9 Inc. and Solazyme Inc., need to be closely watched, as do two members of Big Oil, Shell and Chevron. LS9’s CEO comes from Shell, while Solarzyme has a testing agreement with Chevron.

Green Tech Expert Mike Millikin Predicts The ‘Big 3’ Of Lithium-ion Battery Firms (Part 1 of 2)