DOE to Host Series of Biomass Program Webinars: Algae Webinar Sept. 8

August 30, 2010
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Biomass Program is hosting a Webinar on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, from 2:00–4:30 p.m. EDT entitled “The Promise and Challenge of Algae as a Renewable Source of Biofuels.” This Web conference marks the first in the Biomass Program’s Webinar series, which will cover many of the program’s activities and feature “Hot Topics” discussions relevant to the development of renewable fuels, power, and products from biomass resources.

This Webinar will focus on the program’s approach to algal biofuels research and development and will include presentations from four of its recently funded consortia, comprised of more than 65 partners across the United States. This session will also discuss highlights from the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, which was released by DOE in June 2010.

The Biomass Program welcomes interested stakeholders from industry, academia, research institutions, government, non-profits, other organizations, and the general public. Presenters include Joanne Morello of DOE’s Biomass Program and representatives from the National Alliance For Advanced Biofuels and Bio-Products (NAABB), the Center for Algae Biotechnology Commercialization (CAB-Comm), the Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium (SABC), and Cellana, LLC.

Registration:
This Webinar is free to all participants, but be sure to register in advance to secure your spot. You will receive the URL, password, and phone number via e-mail prior to the Webinar. You will need this information in order to connect.

About Algal Biofuels:
Algae are quickly gaining worldwide attention as a promising feedstock for advanced biofuels. These primarily aquatic organisms could become a significant renewable resource to help meet U.S. biofuel production targets. Many macroalgae, microalgae, and some bacteria (called cyanobacteria) use light to carry out photosynthesis and consume carbon dioxide to drive rapid biomass growth. Alternatively, some algae can rapidly produce biomass without light by consuming simple organic carbon compounds like sugars. Algae biomass, which can contain high levels of oil, can serve as a feedstock for biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and more infrastructure-compatible fuels such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. To learn more about algal biofuels, please read the Biomass Program's Algae Factsheet.

About Biomass:
Biomass is a clean, renewable energy source that can help to significantly diversify transportation fuels in the United States. The Biomass Program is helping transform the nation's renewable and abundant biomass resources into cost-competitive, high-performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. To learn more, visit the Biomass Program Web site.