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Marine Algae Could Be the Next Energy Source
Green Technology Featured Articles
November 22, 2013

Marine Algae Could Be the Next Energy Source

By Michael Guta
TMCnet Contributing Writer

If you want one more reason to admire President Jimmy Carter, here it is. In 1978 his administration established a $25 million Aquatic Species Program. The goal of this initiative was to investigate high oil type of algae that could be grown for biofuel. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, enough algae could be grown to supply the transportation and home heating needs in the US, replacing fossil fuels and many of the detrimental effects it has on all living creatures and the environment. Fast forward some 35 years later, and researchers have announced a breakthrough in biofuel from marine algae that could lead to a new energy source.


Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, are engineering algae known as diatoms (Thalassiosira pseudonana) to increase their lipids or fats by metabolically engineering a “knock-down” of fat-reducing enzymes called lipases. According to the researchers, they will be able to produce the genetically modified strains in other species.

"These results demonstrate that targeted metabolic manipulations can be used to increase accumulation of fuel-relevant molecules…with no negative effects on growth. We have shown that engineering this pathway is a unique and practical approach for increasing lipid yields," said graduate student Emily Trentacoste who led the study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The beauty of using algae for biofuel is it will stop developing countries from using land that can be used for human consumption instead of fuel for vehicles. Researchers also claim 100,000 gallons of algae oil per acre per year can be produced depending on the type of algae used, how it is grown, and the method of oil extraction. Additionally the byproduct can be used for fertilizer and feedstock without having to use other food sources.

Another benefit of using algae is it takes less land compared to corn, palm oil, soybean, hemp seed, switchgrass, or sugarcane. The difference in land usage compared to other plants is so dramatic, the only reason algae is not used must be because of the efficient and honest politicians we have running congress.

Soybean: 40 to 50 US gallon/acre

Rapeseed: 110 to 145 US gal/acre

Mustard: 140 US gal/acre

Jatropha: 175 US gal/acre

Palm Oil: 650 US gal/acre

Algae: 10,000 to 20,000 US gal/acre

Even though the benefits of this resource are clearly evident, it will probably take another 35 years before the geniuses in Washington are convinced to use algae instead of corn and sugarcane, while the price of sugar and corn based food products continue to sky rocket.




Edited by Ryan Sartor


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