The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is funding Sandia National Laboratories, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute and HydroMentia, to develop Algal Turf Scrubbers for the production of biofuels.  The highly productive, easily harvested and dewatered turf algae is a promising source of reliable biomass for processing to bio-crude oil that can then be converted to renewable diesel, gasoline, or jet fuels. The Sandia team is working to maximize biomass fuel yield, while improving the logistics and economics of scaling the system to commercial production. Current challenges being tackled include characteristically low lipid content, as well as high nitrogen and ash content that impact downstream processing.

The Chesapeake Stormwater Network will be hosting a webcast April 14 to introduce this innovative technology and the BUBBA-award-winning pilot project located in the Baltimore Harbor. Join them to learn how algae is working double-time for a “greener” tomorrow!