Today in Biofuels Opinion: “Algae commercially grown in the ocean on specialized platforms could reduce the high costs.”

Manning Feraci, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs: “The biodiesel tax incentive is working. Since its enactment in 2004, U.S. biodiesel production has reached commercial scale, and the nation has realized the job creation, environmental and energy security benefits that come with the expanded production and use of biodiesel. Biodiesel use is consistent with a policy that values the creation of green jobs and expanded use of low carbon fuels. The tax incentive plays an integral role in achieving these goals, and it is vitally important that Congress extend this worthwhile, effective incentive.”

MSNBC.com: “A team of engineers plans to investigate whether algae commercially grown in the ocean on specialized platforms could reduce the high costs of biofuel production…Kansas State University engineer Wenquiao Yuan and his colleague think that growing algae on floating, acre-sized platforms in the ocean could dramatically reduce expenses associated with algae oil production by providing free sources of sunlight, nutrients, controlled temperature and water…Unless the platform can grow algae several millimeters thick, it would be too difficult to scrape off the biomass for processing into oil. So far, the algae have responded well to dimpled stainless-steel. But the engineers still don’t know why algae grow differently, depending on the type of material and surface texture. Understanding those “mechanisms of attachment” is the goal of the first portion of the research, which is funded by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). From there, the engineers will likely test their platform system in a smaller pond environment and then take it offshore.”

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