The large-scale cultivation of macroalgae (also known as seaweed) is increasingly recognized as a potential solution for removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, the economic bioextraction of nitrogen and phosphorus from eutrophic systems, and a source of carbon-neutral biomass for biofuels and bioproducts.  ARPA-E views macroalgae as a robust carbon-negative and resource-efficient feedstock for biofuels and bioproducts that does not compete with existing agricultural land.  ARPA-E’s MARINER program targets the development and deployment of new technologies for the economically viable production of macroalgae on a scale sufficient for bioenergy production.  A smaller satellite program is exploring the bioaccumulation capacities of macroalgae to mitigate excess nutrient concentration in various marine systems.  However, while these efforts are showing the promise of macroalgae for environmental services and are building new capabilities for large-scale seaweed farms, the economics surrounding algal cultivation will remain risky unless practical methods can be demonstrated for downstream processing of this biomass into products relevant to US energy needs: nitrogenous fertilizers and low-carbon fuels.  De-risking of early-stage technologies for the bioconversion of macroalgae to energy-relevant products could spark widespread market adoption.

This workshop was organized to gain insights from diverse domain experts and stakeholders on the opportunities and technical challenges for bioconversion and valorization of macroalgal feedstocks.  The featured speakers for the event have been selected from leading universities, large and small companies as well as investors focused on accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies.

This workshop was open to the public, but an invitation was required to participate.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Seaweed Fuel & Fertilizer Market Opportunities and Challenges

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Saltwater conversion of seaweed to fuels and nitrogen/fertilizer

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