UVA Team Studies Algae as Alternative Fuel
A University of Virginia interdisciplinary research team, recently funded by a Collaborative Sustainable Energy Seed Grant, has announced development of commercial production models for growing algae more efficiently. Though the work is still in the early stages, researchers believe that the proper balance of carbon dioxide and organic material will boost oil production by as much as 40%. If true, algae could produce biofuel while cleaning up other problems.
“We have to prove these two things to show that we really are getting a free lunchâ€, said Lisa Colosi, a professor of civil and environmental engineering who is part of the research team. “The main principle of industrial ecology is to try and use our waste products to produce something of value.â€
The team will seek to optimize the oil output, experimenting on a very small scale, testing basic issues like whether grinding the organic material before feeding it to the algae makes a difference. They will also work to quantify the environmental and economic benefits of algae biofuel compared to soy-based biodiesel.
Although some of these issues may have been tackled already by private companies already researching algae fuel, a published scientific report on these fundamentals will be a major benefit to other researchers. “Published evidence of improved algae oil output might spur significant follow-up efforts by public and private sectors, since the fundamentals of this technology are so appealingâ€, Colosi said. Research successes would also open the door to larger grants from agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy.
