Planes and Ships Could Run on Kelp Someday, but There Are Serious Hurdles
Researchers say kelp could cut transport emissions, but weak demand, scarce federal support and permit barriers are slowing commercial scale-up.
- Kelp biofuel research in the United States faces significant funding, permitting, and demand hurdles, with the Department of Energy's MARINER program concluding in 2024 after six years of development.
- Federal support for kelp biofuel has historically fluctuated with oil prices; a similar 1970s program was terminated when oil prices stabilized, and current funding opportunities have become fewer and delayed.
- Shellfish farmer Oliver Dixon, based in Point Judith, Rhode Island, harvests about 10,000 pounds of kelp this month but cannot obtain year-round permits, requiring seasonal removal of farm infrastructure.
- Woods Hole engineer Hauke Kite-Powell notes regulatory hurdles would persist even with guaranteed buyers, while ocean farmer Bren Smith argues kelp is currently more economically viable for cosmetics and food than fuel.
- Marine scientist Scott Lindell at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution maintains over 2,600 strains of sugar kelp and has bred varieties producing three times more biomass than conventional types, confident his work will eventually support renewable energy.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Associated Press News
Planes and ships could run on kelp someday, but there are serious hurdles
Kelp, a kind of seaweed, can be used in biofuels that one day could power ships and aircraft. That would sharply reduce the use of gas and oil, which emit greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.
MASSACHUSETTS- Green cells revolve around a red-lighted camera, driven by a blade through bubbling water. These small marine algae cells, called gametophytes, will become a variety of fast-growing kelp, part of what was once a government-funded initiative to develop sustainable biofuels for transport in the United States. Electricity from solar and wind power can drive cars; however, ships and aircraft operate largely on liquid fuels made from a…
Green cells revolve around a red-lighted camera, driven by a blade through bubbling water. These small marine algae cells, called gametophytes, will become a variety of fast-growing kelp, part of what was once a government-funded initiative to develop sustainable biofuels for transportation in the United States.
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