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A new research paper analyzes real-world algae cultivation techniques in open ponds to estimate the yields that are possible from commercial-scale operations. The results only confirm the optimism of so many of us at the Algae Biomass Organization.
Authors of the paper in Algal Research found that existing strains and techniques could yields biomass yields of up to 78 metric tons per hectare per year.
These yields are unprecedented for large-scale open pond systems to date. Since they are based on real-world cultivation they only make expectations for commercial production more exciting.
The authors also used their data to estimate that the capitol costs associated with starting a 111 hectare base case facility (that’s about 274 acres.) would be between $59 – 67 million.
The research was conducted at Cellana’s facility in Hawaii. Cellana is one of ABO’s members leading the way toward algae commercialization, expanding a model that capitalizes on algae’s potential to provide revenues across a range of products: human nutritional supplements, aquaculture feeds and fuels.
You can read the full study at ScienceDirect.com.
