The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) today announced 18 awards totaling over $22 million to support high-impact research and development in macroalgae production for fuels and other products. The grants are being made under the Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (MARINER) program, launched by ARPA-E in December following extensive consultation with ABO and other algae industry stakeholders. MARINER projects will develop the tools to enable the United States to become a leading producer of macroalgae for fuels and a variety of other products. Congratulations to the many ABO members among the awardees.
Category: Blog
Cashing in on Carbon, Nitrogen, and Nutrients at the Algae Biomass Summit
Algae cultivation and other microbial approaches to mitigating carbon emissions are gaining attention for their ability to create valuable co-products alongside emissions reductions. Meanwhile, several projects around the world are also using algae to mitigate nutrient releases from domestic wastewater, agriculture and feedlot operations.
Join representatives from utilities, manufacturing and agriculture at the 2017 Algae Biomass Summit as they discuss the exciting opportunities for applications of algae in nutrient and carbon recycling. Plenary speakers include:
- Mark Allen, Vice President, Accelergy Corporation
- Rob Teegarden, Vice President, Orlando Utilities Commission
- Mark Edwards, Co-Founder, Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance
- Dal Wayment, General Manager, South Davis Sewer District, Utah
Check out the full 2017 Algae Biomass Summit agenda at: 2017 Algae Biomass Summit Agenda
Health & Nutrition at the Algae Biomass Summit
Algae are set to play an enormous role in health and nutrition solutions for the 21st century. Join leading technology and product developers at the 2017 Algae Biomass Summit to learn how algae are becoming a sustainable source of alternative proteins, nutraceuticals and oils, or as a production platform for innovative therapies and new drugs.
The Summit’s opening panel will feature global nutrition leaders and pioneers in plant-based products to discuss opportunities and challenges in bringing algae health solutions to the global market, including:
Chris Butt, Principal Scientist, DSM
Uma Sudan, CEO, Valensa International
Xun Wang, CEO, Triton Algae Innovations
Miguel Calatayud, CEO, Qualitas Health
Check out the full 2017 Algae Biomass Summit agenda at: 2017 Algae Biomass Summit Agenda
Farm Bill Energy Title Programs Get Key Backing
Key Farm Bill Energy Title programs received a series of much-needed endorsements yesterday, offering hope as congressional negotiators continue work on FY2018 USDA funding and the next Farm Bill re-authorization.
Senators Al Franken (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) yesterday introduced the Agricultural Energy Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017 which will reauthorize key rural energy and manufacturing programs in Title IX of the Farm Bill and provide robust funding through 2023. In addition to renewed funding, the proposal includes several ABO energy title policy priorities, including eligibility under the Sec. 9002 Biopreferred program for products from algae and other biomass produced using captured carbon.
The bill’s introduction followed a new report from the Ag Energy Coalition yesterday on the importance of Farm Bill Energy Title programs and an Op-Ed from AEC Director, Lloyd Ritter, on the need for sustained funding. ABO is an AEC member.
We still have our work cut out for us as Farm Bill energy programs continue to face opposition from some quarters, but these new developments offer our efforts a real boost. A tip of the cap to Lloyd and his team at AEC.
DOE Announces Four Additional PEAK Awards
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office today announced the selection of four additional projects from the Productivity Enhanced Algae and ToolKits (PEAK) funding opportunity. The selected projects include numerous ABO member companies and institutions. Total funding for the seven PEAK awards announced to date (including the three previously announced awards) now tops $16 million. A big thanks to the Congressional Algae Caucus for the June 30 letter that got the ball rolling.