The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced $20.2 million in funding for 10 university and industry projects to advance mixed algae development for low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts. Located in 7 states, these selected projects will address high-impact research and development (R&D) focused on converting algae, such as seaweeds and other wet waste feedstocks, to low-carbon fuels, chemicals and agricultural products that can decarbonize domestic transportation and industry.
These types of feedstocks represent an emerging resource and are critical to the development of biofuels and bioproducts. However, they are underutilized and difficult to convert due to their variability, unique chemical make-up, and storage instability. These research projects will help overcome feedstock conversion challenges and support building biomass supply chains, and ultimately, improve carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion to algae and enable greater volumes of sustainable aviation fuel.