Energy Department Declares Up to $25 Million to Reduce Costs of Algal Biofuels

The Energy Department on September 30 announced up to $25 million in backing to reduce the cost of algal biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) by 2019.

The backing announced will support plans in 2 topic areas: Topic Area one awards (anticipated to be one to 3 selections) will range from $5 million to $10 million and focus on the development of algae cultures that, in addition to biofuels, produce valuable bioproducts that increase the overall value of the biomass. Topic Area two awards (anticipated at 3 to 7 selections) will range from $500,000 to $1 million and will focus on the development of crop protection or carbon dioxide utilization technologies to boost biomass productivity in ways that lead to higher yields of algae.

Algae biomass can be converted to advanced biofuels that offer promising alternatives to petroleum-based diesel and jet fuels. However, barriers related to algae cultivation, harvesting, and conversion to fuels and products need to be overcome to achieve the Department's target of $3 per gge for advanced algal biofuels by 2030. To accomplish this goal, the Department is investing in applied research and development technologies that achieve higher biomass yields and overall values for the algae. See the Energy Department news release.

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