Aquatic Species Program

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The Aquatic Species Program was a research program in the United States launched in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter and was funded by the United States Department of Energy, [1] which over the course of nearly two decades looked into the production of energy using algae, later on the aim of the program was focused to the production of bio-diesel from algae. One side benefit developed was the sequestration of waste CO2 from coal fired power plants. The researchers were concerned with finding species of algae which had a large lipid content, collecting over 3000 species from all over North America in their search. Taking the most promising species, work then focussed on increasing their lipid content by reducing the supply of key nutrients, such as nitrogen and silicon. Another key research aim was the proving of the open pond system for the mass production of algae, resulting in the creation of 1000 square metre pond systems in Roswell, New Mexico. While achieving the desired yields of 50 grams of algae per square metre per day, this could not be obtained consistently due to occasional low temperatures hampering yields. The research program was discontinued by the Clinton administration in 1996. The DOE research staff compiled their work and conclusions into a report that was published in July 1998.

Contents

[edit] Conclusions

The July 1998 close out report from the program concluded that even with the most optimistic lipid yields the production of bio-diesel from algae would only become cost effective if petro-diesel prices rose to twice the 1998 levels. (October 2006 oil prices are three times higher than the average 1998 price in constant dollars.[2])

[edit] Department of Energy

During the Carter Administration in the mid-1970s, all energy-related offices were brought together under the newly formed Department of Energy.

The hierarchy between the DOE and the Aquatic Species Program looks like this:

  • DOE
  • Assistant Secretary Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  • Office of Transportation Technologies
  • Office of Fuels Development
  • Biofuels Program
  • Aquatic Species Program

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • www.eere.energy.gov Department of Energy Aquatic Species Program; Biodiesel Production from Algae.(pdf)