San Diego is the perfect place to move algae bioenergy forward, with UC San Diego's strength in algae research at Scripps and other biological strengths, along with the region's robust biotechnology industry, and regional engineering and technical talent to take the knowledge forward into the market. CONNECT and CleanTECH San Diego are creating a framework for more effective collaborations in bioenergy.

The potential of algae as a bioenergy source has been proven in the laboratory and earlier Department of Energy research programs, and now it's time to pursue larger-scale pilot facilities. Among the most important issues facing society today are the planet's climate challenges. There is a need for alternative energy solutions that are safe, economically driven, and that help society reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Why algae? Algae yields for bioenergy are extremely high, producing five- to 10 times more bioenergy molecules per area per time than any terrestrial plant. Nothing else comes close. With respect to sustainability, algae agricultural systems can be established on non-arable land, using saline waters from aquifers or sea water. Algae can take up nutrients from wastewater and carbon dioxide from power plants that are otherwise considered pollutants. At large scales, residual protein can be converted to animal feed.

UC San Diego researchers are pursuing algae commercialization and research and development. They come from a variety of disciplines, including Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Division of Biological Sciences, Division of Physical Sciences, the Jacobs School of Engineering, and the Rady School of Management, among others. This interdisciplinary committee, chaired by Division of Biological Sciences Dean Steve Kay, will work within the academic community and also with utilities and private industry in forming solutions based on algal bioenergy.

The challenge today is to identify the most sustainable methods to achieving large-scale algae bioenergy production that is economical through biological and engineering solutions. In the near-term, continued research and development efforts are required, along with pilot demonstration facilities.

Learn more at the Scripps Photobiology Group website:
www.spg.ucsd.edu/algae.