DOE aims new program to cut cost of algal biofuels and bioproducts by up to 50% by 2019

In Washington, the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office said that DOE intends to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA), “Targeted Algal Biofuels and Bioproducts.”

DOE said: “BETO’s 2019 projected state of technology for the cost of algal biofuels is modeled at about $7 per gallon gasoline gallon equivalent, without valuable co-products such as animal feed or commodity chemicals. This FOA seeks to improve the value proposition for algal biofuels by employing multi-disciplinary consortia to produce algae bioproduct precursors (alongside fuel components), as well as single-investigator or small-team technology development projects focused on crop protection and CO2 utilization technologies for improving biomass productivity. BETO hopes these strategies will enable a 30–50% cost reduction for algal biofuels.”

It’s expected that the FOA will post in September. The notice of intent is here.