Algae biofuels project receives DoE cash backing

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has awarded a grant for a multidisciplinary Cal Poly research team to develop algae biofuels processes.

The $1.3 million (€961,400) will help the team, dubbed the Algae Technology Group, look at developing processes that turn waste resources and nutrients recycled from algae-derived biomass into sustainable biofuels.

The DoE hope a successful project will allow locals to be able to save millions of dollars in water recycling costs every year.

‘Renewable energy and water recycling are necessary for a sustainable society,’ Tryg Lundquist, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was quoted as saying. ‘However, current technologies are too expensive for many communities to develop themselves. We would like our research to help commercialise the use of algae in the wastewater recycling process and production of biofuel.’

The project will take place in raceway ponds at the City of San Luis Obispo water reclamation facility.