Algae as biofuel source contemplated

UPI.com Published: April 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM

RICHLAND, Wash., April 13 (UPI) -- Algae is being promoted as a biofuel source to replace fossil fuels but growing algae or any biofuel feedstock can require a lot of water, U.S. researchers say.

A study by scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that carefully selecting locations for growing algae can drastically reduce how much water is needed for algal biofuel. Algae grown in a water-wise manner could help meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets by replacing 17 percent of the nation's imported oil for transportation, a paper published in the journal Water Resources Research said.

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