The San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology was established in 2008 as a consortium of researchers from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), in partnership with private industry.
The center collaborates with the private sector to apply lab discoveries to the industrial world through robust research and development in biology, chemistry, and engineering.
Why Algae?
At SD-CAB, we see algae as the world’s most promising source of renewable, alternative biofuel. Here’s why:
Fast growing
Algae are fast growing organisms that turn sunlight into chemical energy. Microalgae, including single-celled algae and cyanobacteria, grow quickly, need relatively low-nutrient inputs, and get their energy from sunlight.
Not picky about water quality
Algae can thrive in saltwater and even wastewater, so large-scale algae production need not further tax our already over-subscribed fresh water resources.
No need for nutrient-rich land
Algae farms can use land that’s otherwise unsuitable for conventional agriculture. This means algae growth won’t compete with food production, unlike traditional biofuel row crops, such as corn or soybeans. Compared to crops used to produce vegetable oil, algae can generate up to 50 times the amount of oil per acre.
Carbon neutral
Algae take carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air while growing, making carbon sequestration a beneficial by-product of large-scale algae production.
Economic development
SD-CAB selected the San Diego-Imperial Valley region for algae production and research. This area boasts a strong array of scientific, geographic, and environmental resources suited for the research and development of advanced biofuels from algae. Combined with an abundance of sunshine, thousands of acres of desert land perfect for algae-growing ponds, and a world-class biotech and engineering sector, the San Diego-Imperial Valley region can provide green-collar jobs that will boost the economy of our state and nation.
Viable
SD-CAB scientists plan to make sustainable algae-based fuel production and carbon dioxide abatement a reality within 5-10 years. Our goal is creating a facility to provide a national and global model for the commercialization of algae fuel.
SD-CAB
Division of Biological Sciences
University of California, San Diego
MC 0368
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0368
Contact Email.
Visit SD-CAB webstite
Latest News
Earlier this week, Los Angeles-based OriginOil announced a collaboration with the Department of Energy to commercialize a process to extract oil from algae. Given the demonstrated appetite for biofuels, researchers are racing to bring their ideas from the lab to the marketplace.
Several San Diego companies are building large-scale farms, including Sapphire Energy, General Atomics and Synthetic Genomics. How those facilities perform will be a key to the technology’s commercial viability.
PARTNERS
San Diego State University
Salk Institute – for biological studies.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography – UC San Diego
Biological Sciences – Where discovery comes to life. – UC San Diego
Photo; GREEN POWER: Is slimy algae the key to a green energy future?Image: FLICKR/LEE NACHTIGAL Scientific American