Development of Algal Biomass Yield Improvements in an Integrated Process Award Number: DE-EE0006314 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6, B5.15 Bioenergy Technologies Office Date: 07/17/2014 Location(s): HI Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
March 4, 2016
Estimated Read Time min
Development of Algal Biomass Yield Improvements in an Integrated Process
Award Number: DE-EE0006314
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6, B5.15
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Date: 07/17/2014
Location(s): HI
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Hawaii Bioenergy, LLC to accelerate the development of a commercial industry for algae-derived transportation fuels suitable for petroleum replacement. DOE completed a previous NEPA review (GFO-0006314-001 CX A9 08/01/2013) for Task 1.0 which included validation of support processes, data, and risk management. This NEPA determination applies to the remaining Tasks 2.0-6.0, including outdoor test support, strain improvement, control optimization, preprocessing unit operations and integration.
Hawaii BioEnergy LLC seeks to produce algal biomass in their outdoor, open raceways. These raceways are no larger than .25 acres of wetted area each and are located in Lihue, Kauai. The production activities would include cultivation, harvesting, and drying at the Kauai Algae Farm located at 4941-J Maalo Road in Lihue. Strain development would take place in a dedicated lab at Global Algae Innovations located at 3-3367 Kuhio Hwy in Lihue. Strain development and testing would also occur at Scripps Institute of Oceanography at 8622 Kennel Way in La Jolla, California. Kuehnle Agrosystems would be tasked with preparing inoculum, working on strain development and testing at their facilities at 2800 Woodlawn Dr. in Honolulu, Hawaii. The facilities where the proposed project would occur have been previously used for work that is similar to the activities included in the proposed project, therefore, no new or modified permits would be required, and no construction of new facilities or physical modifications to existing facilities would occur as a result of the proposed project.