University of Nevada, Reno Researchers Harvest Their First Outdoor Cold-Weather Algae Crop
27 January 2009
Researchers at the University of NEvada, Reno, have harvested their first outdoor cold-weather crop of algae as part of their collaborative algae-to-biofuels project with their industry partners Enegis, LLC and Bebout and Associates.
The goal of the project is to develop a hardy variety of salt-loving algae as alternative biofuel feedstock, which produces more than 50% of its weight in oil, as well as developing a practical process to grow, concentrate and harvest the algae. The alga variety harvested was selected and cultured by the University, and future varieties will be developed by the University.
The project produced several hundred gallons of concentrated algal slurry. Professor John Cushman, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, estimated that the harvest is 30% lipids and 5% starches on a dry-weight basis, less on a fresh-weight basis.
The research has demonstrated that, with the proper technology and species of algae, it is possible to grow algae outdoors year-round in Nevada. The pond was inoculated with a “starter” culture and then the cells grow out until they reach a plateau or stationary phase, which takes two to three weeks. The algae grew in the outdoor pond despite nighttime temperatures that fell into the low 20s. Use of the uncovered ponds demonstrates that algae can be grown in commercial quantities year-round, even in a temperate climate. This will preclude the need for capital-intensive bioreactors or covered ponds, according to the researchers.
The ponds were constructed with the help of industry partners Enegis, LLC and Bebout and Associates. Cushman also received grant funding from the US Department of Transportation SunGrant Initiative.
Cushman, his partners and students plan to begin growing another crop of algae to be ready for harvest in the early Spring.
This is EXCELLENT news. I think these technologies need to be refined & perfected, then deployed to developing countries like Afghanistan to improve their way of life. Afghanistan has salt deposits and a distribution network for salt. It also has vast deserts & barren land, and mountain ranges for solar, wind, & algae biofuel production. Lot of potential there....we need a Marshall plan for that country----except with real economy improving technologies instead of just straight $$$$$.
Posted by: ejj | 27 January 2009 at 06:45 AM
This is the obvious answer to our energy problem. Algae based fuels can be grown all over our country. In ten years we could be selling some to the middle east.
Posted by: Lucas | 27 January 2009 at 09:00 AM
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Yes, Algae is the answer. You don't use crop land to grow it. Algae can be grown in desert wastelands.
The idea that Afghanistan could use solar and wind power to develop their country is laughable. These technologies are so inefficient and expensive that developed countries are having a hard time using them. And, they always have to be supplemented by nuclear/hydro/coal power plants. Don't kill people in Afghanistan by shutting off their power, trying to force them to be politically correct.
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Posted by: The Goracle | 27 January 2009 at 06:34 PM
Sounds great - BUT.
Just wait until the Endophytic Bacteria and Algae eating Poplar trees from the Brookhaven National Laboratory come after these pond sucking algae.
They’ll be duck soup.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 27 January 2009 at 06:43 PM
Sure hope this is a start to outdoor culture, many people get into horticulture for the lifestyle, many
want to make a difference there i quite a following for the 'outdoors lifestyle'
Others like to grow under light - hyroponically and all that.
I can see the next step in this being the large scale water remediation plants where pollution control and water authourities trained biologists intercept 'natural?' and artificial 'energy' carying streams and close the loop efectively creating a new socialy reponsible industry.
Eventually we will have the most contrary pesimits jockying for a eat on the (water) board.
Good to see the other current articles on thermo volts and solar methane producers getting on.
Walmart here we come!
Posted by: arnold | 28 January 2009 at 06:05 PM