A California company announces they’ve synthesized a perfect copy of crude oil from algae; rumors of plug-in features for the 2009 Prius; and a plastics trade group frets about too much plastic. It’s the Friday edition of The Daily Five.

Making Renewable, Carbon-Neutral Oil - From Algae: A California energy startup says they’ve developed a process to produce a light sweet crude oil that’s chemically identical to petroleum — but is made from green algae. Sapphire Energy’s approach is different from most algae biofuel projects, which attempt to create kerosene or diesel substitutes directly. By synthesizing “green crude,” Sapphire is able to produce any product which can be refined from conventional oil. The company hopes to be turning out 10,000 barrels a day within five years. Sapphire has already raised $50 million in venture capital, and is backed by a consortium of universities and the Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Project. (WIRED)

SPG Solar and TTI Join Far Niente Winery in Unveiling the First-Ever Floatovoltaic(TM) Solar Array : What do you do when you want to go solar, but can’t dedicate productive vineyards for a panel farm? You build a floating solar array, of course. Napa Valley winery Far Niente wanted to invest in solar power, but couldn’t sacrifice precious land to make room. So they developed what they’re calling the world’s first “Floatovoltaic” panel farm in the middle of an irrigation pond. The installation saved at least almost an acre of vines, and its 1,904 solar panels generate 330 kilowatts of peak power. (Renewable Energy World)

US News: the future of the Prius is all about the plugs: There’s already buzz about the feature set to grace the next generation Toyota Prius, due in 2009. In addition to a larger wheelbase and more powerful engine, Toyota seems to be paying a lot of attention to the plug-in aspect of their top selling hybrid. Likely amenities: an all-electric mode for short trips; provision to charge the vehicle’s batteries from regular wall outlets; and 120 volt power jacks to run laptops and other electronic gear. Less likely next year, but apparently under development: the ability to use your Prius as an emergency home generator. Why not? (Autoblog Green)

Solar Flares: Sunny Days for Thin-Film Solar: Some of the world’s most exciting alternative energy development is happening right in the heart of major oil-producing nations. Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Corporation announced this week it’s dropping a cool $2 billion into thin-film solar technology. Masdar is the company responsible for constructing Abu Dhabi’s “renewable energy city.” The company hopes to turn Abu Dhabi into a net exporter of clean, renewable power and technology. (WSJ.com)

Canadian plastic industry lashes out over bag bans: A trade association representing Canadian plastic manufacturers is hopping mad about the trend away from disposable shopping bags. Serge Lavoie, CEO of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, claims that banning the bags may actually increase the amount of plastics being consumed. Lavoie says that after Ireland banned plastic shopping bags, consumers switched to heavier all-plastic carrying containers. No word on why a plastics consortium would fret about something which would allegedly drive up demand for their product. (Reuters)

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