March 25, 2025
The story of Alder begins with our people. This month, we highlight Bella Brandes, Research Engineer, who has been producing Alder Renewable Crude since 2022.
Where do you consider home?
I’m from the island of Oahu and more specifically the valley of Mānoa. I was born and raised here and will always consider Hawai’i to be my home.
What did you study in school?
I graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical& Biological Engineering. I also have a minor from CSU in Global and Environmental Sustainability.
What is your favorite park about working for Alder?
This may be cliché to say, but the people I work with, and seeing how each one shows up with a different form of resiliency and a commitment to helping Alder succeed.
What goals are you working towards at Alder?
At Alder, my goals are threefold. First, I aim to complete the design of a robust 50-gallon batch ARC pilot reactor that can reliably produce the critical ARC volumes needed for downstream testing. Second, I want to develop the project management skills to successfully implement this system in our lab, including operator training, material handling procedures, and all other necessary components. Finally, I plan to integrate our thermal stability work with this new sample generation system to maximize learning and synergy between the two.
What are you most proud of at Alder?
I am most proud of my contribution to establishing Alder’s first laboratory. This has been instrumental in our team’s growth, both technically and as a company.
What are your hobbies? What is something people don’t know about you?
Growing up in Hawai’I, most of my hobbies were ocean-based before moving to Colorado. So, I enjoy surfing, diving for shells, and Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling to name a few. Pulling from my years living in a landlocked state, I’ve found a love for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. One thing people might not know about me is that I’m a part of a Hawaiian outrigger canoe club on Oahu, and we compete in many different races, some as long as 27 miles and more!
What are you proud of outside work?
Besides receiving my bachelor’s degree, I am proud of the wonderful community that I’ve built in Colorado, and the work I’m able to do here in Hawai’i, giving back to my community through beach cleanups and a project I volunteer for that uses microorganisms to clean up waterways.
What is a quote you live by?
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”- Angela Davis
February 13, 2025
The transition into our new lab this past year has been transformative. This space has become a cornerstone of the Alder Renewables innovation engine, enabling new opportunities to accelerate our technology development, create novel intellectual property, and foster new and existing partnerships.
Building a Home
The lab has not only accelerated our ability to increase our core technology readiness level, but it has also empowered our team to advance new R&D efforts while strengthening our innovation culture. Working together in a common lab, office, and meeting space has enabled technical deep dives and the spontaneous brainstorming sessions required for innovation.
Importantly, we've established key technical capabilities in our new lab, including bench- and pilot-scale equipment for process optimization. Additionally, we've integrated state-of-the-art analytical instruments that provide real-time feedback and ensure quality control across all of our workstreams. Most critically, we have a home. In 2025, we are excited to host more partners, potential investors, future customers, and visitors to see how the Alder Renewables technology works in practice. These tours often include outfitting visitors with the proper safety gear and inviting them to participate in hands-on lab experiments. Yes, we are channeling the spirit of Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Where We're Going
Over the past year, we leveraged our new lab to deliver meaningful outcomes that advance our technology towards commercialization and generate new intellectual property – essential milestones for a startup.
One key achievement this year was the development of a new test method and specification for Alder Renewable Crude and other biocrude products produced by our Technical Team. Dedicated biocrude test methods are vital for ensuring quality control and consistent performance in renewable fuel production. They also allow us to assess the impact of new biomass feedstocks at every stage of processing.
Additionally, we've made significant progress on our U.S. Department of Energy-supported work to explore the decarbonization potential of the energy grass miscanthus. This summer, we completed a 100-hour continuous pilot test at the gallon-per-day scale, utilizing our lab's advanced capabilities and in-house equipment. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to scale our operations to barrel-quantity processing and produce carbon-negative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in-house using this promising regenerative agriculture feedstock.
Lastly, we had the privilege to host research interns from the nearby University of Colorado Boulder and continue our collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. Engaging with the vibrant research institutions and CleanTech community has been an exciting part of our journey – one we look forward to building on in the new year.
Energized By Our Mission
A lot has been written about technology that's focused on decarbonization in 2024 and the political, economic, and cultural headwinds these companies may face to reach meaningful scale. In general, at Alder Renewables, we ignore the noise. We keep our heads down, we stay focused on the mission, and we build – step by step. As we close 2024, we are undoubtedly tired, but also grateful to have the opportunity to focus on this critical work and to help refiners – and the industries they empower – to decarbonize their operations. 2025 will be a defining year for Alder Renewables and we'll be back with the same grit, determination, and optimism we had this year. Happy New Year to you all. Onwards.
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