7. Environmental --Biofuel matchmaker: Finding the perfect algae for renewable energy

A biochemical engineer examines Algae samples. ("Biofuel Matchmaker...")

A team of researchers lead by Michael Huesemann, of the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has developed a new “streamlined process could quickly pare down heaps of algae species into just a few that hold the most promise for making biofuel”. This new $6 million project is using a unique climate-simulating lab system for this process. The process involves putting a potential payload of bright green algae into a dozen glass cylinders and exposing them to hundreds of multi-coloured lights, which all provide sunlight’s natural hues. The tiny LEDs change brightness levels to mimic conditions of the outdoors and to simulate a virtual cloud passing, ‘chillers’ kick in and cool down the algae temperature a little bit. “The Algae DISCOVR Project” is trying out a new approach that could reduce the cost and the time needed “to move promising algal strains from the laboratory and into production. At the end of the three-year pilot project, scientists hope to identify four promising strains from at least 30 initial candidates”. They are undergoing this project because Algae biofuel is a clean energy method, but the production costs are very high which limit production and use.

DISCUSSION

I find that this is a very important project and it will eventually impact everyone's lives because we are likely going to run out of fossil fuels in the next 50 years -100 years, as they aren't a renewable energy source (2017). Fossil fuels are harmful for the environment and human health because they can contribute to acid rain through the release of sulfur dioxide and are also a cause of pollution. By developing new renewable ways to generate energy, it will not be a hard transition from fossil fuels to a new energy source and things such as algae biofuel are clean and may eventually lower in cost. After reading this article I am interested in learning new energy methods and how they compare with older ones and I believe that this project is very positive one that can change the world.

Works cited:

Biofuel Matchmaker: Finding the Perfect Algae for Renewable Energy -- ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 Jan. 2017, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170113133049.htm. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.

 Rinkesh. “Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels - Conserve Energy Future.” Fossil Fuels, Conserve Energy Future, 25 Dec. 2016, http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/disadvantages_fossilfuels.php. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.

2017. When Will Fossil Fuels Run Out? 2000, http://www.carboncounted.co.uk/when-will-fossil-fuels-run-out.html. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.