The Algal Biofuel Project is an actively funded project taking place within the IEE algae lab and test bed facility.
Currently, algae are the most plausible organisms to become a petroleum-equivalent biofuel. However, no methods exist to bring algae to the production levels or price levels of fossil fuels. The goal of this project is to develop methods of production which do so and examine their costs.
The project aims to find a hardy, steady strain of algae which can grow in quantity and grow quickly and cheaply in brackish water, which is a byproduct of desalination. Such a strain would allow researchers to develop a cost-effective, efficient, and renewable source of biofuel while mitigating the disposal cost of desalination concentrate.
At the Algae Test Bed Facility, located at NMSU’s “A” Mountain site, promising strains are taken to algae holding tanks, called “raceways.” These raceways simulate growing and harvesting conditions similar to the real world.
For additional information on the Algal Biofuel Project, please contact Jalal Rastegary.
- Algae biofuel learning resource available
- A glance at the algal biofuel process
- Under construction: Aggie Mountain Facility
- Making green: algae production at IEE