The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Advanced Algal Systems Program is carrying out a long-term applied R&D strategy to increase the yields and lower the costs of algal biofuels by working with partners to develop new technologies, to integrate technologies at commercially-relevant scales, and conduct crosscutting analyses. This will help researchers understand the potential and challenges of an algal biofuel industry ultimately capable of producing billions of gallons per year of renewable diesel, gasoline, and jet fuels. These activities are integrated with the Office's longstanding approach to accelerate the commercialization of lignocellulosic biofuels.
Our strategy aims to help break down critical technical barriers and promote sustainable and affordable algal biofuels. The Advanced Algal System Program portfolio of projects systematically addresses barriers along the algal biofuel supply chain to help advance the state of technology forward towards demonstrating cost-competitiveness with fossil fuels.
Within the Advanced Algal Systems Program, BETO focuses on activities in production, logistics, and algal integrated biorefineries. More information on the Advanced Algal Systems Program can be found on the Related Links page.
To enhance its algae portfolio and engage key stakeholders, BETO regularly hosts algal biofuels strategy workshops to discuss R&D needed to achieve affordable, scalable, and sustainable algae-based biofuels.
Energy 101: Algae-to-Fuels
The term "algae" refers to a great diversity of organisms—from microscopic cyanobacteria to giant kelp. Most algae convert sunlight into energy in a similar manner as plants; however, the genetic diversity of the many different kinds of algae gives researchers an incredible number of unique properties that can be harnessed to develop promising algal biofuel technologies.
The key to algae's potential as a renewable fuel source lies in the high productivities of algal biomass that can be grown in a given area; some researchers say algae could be 10 or even 100 times more productive than traditional bioenergy feedstocks. Achieving the potential for these high productivities in real-world systems is a key challenge to realizing the promise of sustainable and affordable algal biofuels. Once harvested, algae can be readily processed into the raw material to make fuel for cars, trucks, trains, and planes.
Check out our ENERGY 101: ALGAE-TO-FUEL video to learn more about algal biofuel research and development.