Integrated Low Cost and High Yield Microalgal Biofuel Intermediates Production Award Number: DE-EE0007691 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6, B5.15 Bioenergy Technologies Office Date: 8/18/2016 Location(s): CA Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
September 8, 2016
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Integrated Low Cost and High Yield Microalgal Biofuel Intermediates Production
Award Number: DE-EE0007691
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6, B5.15
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Date: 8/18/2016
Location(s): CA
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to MicroBio Engineering, Inc. to develop improved algal strains that produce high oil or high carbohydrate algal biomass, and to study the combining of auto- and mixo-trophic production in open ponds for increased annual production of biofuel intermediates.
The proposed project activities would involve in-lab investigations and field studies. Initial validations and project management (Tasks 1 and 2) and techno-economic and levelized cost analyses (Task 4) would be completed by MicroBio Engineering from their offices in San Luis Obispo, CA. Outdoor cultivations (Task 3) would be completed by CalPoly at their Algae field station also in San Luis Obispo. Strain selection, isolation and characterization (Task 5) would be undertaken by Cal Poly from their university laboratories in San Luis Obispo. Processing, fermentation, and conversion of biomass (Tasks 6 and 7) would be completed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in Albuquerque, NM. Conversion and evaluation of residuals (Task 8) would be completed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) from their facilities in Richland, WA. Outdoor study and evaluation of mixotrophic productivity (Task 9) and optimization of culture management strategies and processes (Task 10) would be undertaken by Heliae Development, LLC from their facilities in Gilbert, AZ. All facilities utilized in both lab work and field studies are pre-existing and purpose-built for the type of activities being proposed; therefore, no adverse impacts to sensitive resources are expected as a result of the proposed project. No change in the use, mission or operation of existing facilities would arise out of this effort. The facilities have all applicable permits in place, and would not need additional permits for the proposed activities.