Algae Industry Already Contributing to Local Economy
Mary Rosenthal
It was more than the sunny weather that brought 700 scientists, financiers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to San Diego recently for the third annual Algae Biomass Summit — the world’s pre-eminent event dedicated to the development of algae-based solutions to global energy, environmental and economic issues. With several leading algae companies and organizations already calling the area home, San Diego was a logical choice to host this year’s Algae Biomass Summit.
San Diego should be applauded for its leading role in an industry that is creating jobs, contributing millions of dollars to the local economy, and working toward clean, American-made, renewable energy sources.
Algal biomass is more than just greenish pond scum — much more. Algae are capable of absorbing and storing naturally occurring CO2 as well as additional CO2 from large, industrial emitters such as coal-fired power plants. And algal biomass holds great promise as a feedstock for biofuels: algae grow rapidly, can feed off nutrient-rich water supplies such as wastewater or water polluted by agricultural runoff, and can then be harvested on a massive scale, with the oil extracted and then used to produce renewable fuel.
While scientists have been studying algae as a source of renewable energy for decades, only recently has the industry begun to receive the type of research and investment needed to translate algae’s potential into a clean, green reality.
