The Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium, led by Arizona State University, will focus on testing the acceptability of algal biofuels as replacements for petroleum-based fuels. Up to $6 million will be dedicated to investigating biochemical conversion of algae to fuels and products as well as to analyzing physical chemistry properties of algal fuels and fuel intermediates.
The Consortium for Algal Biofuels Commercialization, led by the University of California, San Diego, will concentrate on developing algae as a robust biofuels feedstock. Up to $9 million will aid the search for new approaches to algal crop protection, algal nutrient utilization, and genetic tools.
The Cellana, LLC Consortium, led by Cellana, LLC, of Hawaii, will examine large-scale production of fuels and feed from microalgae grown in seawater. Up to $9 million will be used to integrate new algal harvesting technologies with pilot-scale cultivation test beds, and to develop marine microalgae as animal feed for the aquaculture industry.
The groups will follow the path outlined by the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap which DOE released on June 28. The document synthesizes public comments on a draft version published in June 2009, which summarized the work of more than 200 experts and stakeholders who took part in DOE's National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop. The final National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap is intended to guide future work and investments in algal biofuels. See the DOE press release, the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap (PDF 7.5 MB), and DOE's Biomass Program Web site.
USDA Report Provides Roadmap for U.S. Biofuel Energy Goals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on June 23 detailing regional strategies to increase biofuels production to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) mandate for U.S. consumers to use 36 billion gallons of biofuel per year by 2022.
Authors of the USDA's Biofuels Strategic Production Report conclude that meeting RFS2 targets will require a rapid build-up in production capabilities and a substantial investment in biorefineries. The RFS2 implementation provisions are detailed in EPA's final rule for the RFS2, which takes effect on July 1.
USDA's report identifies numerous biomass feedstocks to be used in the development of biofuels and calls for funding of further investments in research and development of various feedstocks; sustainable production and management systems; efficient conversion technologies and high-value bioproducts; and decision support and policy analysis tools.
To create green jobs where they're most needed, the USDA plans to site biorefineries in economically distressed areas by leveraging regional resources for transportation, labor, and feedstocks.
