Summer Seaweed: A Possible New Biofuel

According to an article from Biology News.Net, researchers at Aberystwyth University claim the use of kelp (Laminaria digitata) could prove to be a vital alternative to terrestrial grown biofuels; but the suitability of its chemical composition varies on a seasonal basis. They say harvesting the kelp in July when carbohydrate levels are at their highest would ensure optimal sugar release for biofuel production. "Seaweed biofuel could be very important in future energy production," says Dr. Adams. "What biofuels provide that other renewables such as wind power cannot is a storable energy source that we can use when the wind drops."

This discovery could jump start a fast and efficient new way of producing fuel. With this new research put into effect, we would no longer have to rely on fossil fuel. Research in biofuel has been mainly focused on terrestrial plants, but there is a conflict on using land to grow food or fuel. Since Marine ecosystems account for more than half of global biomass and are relatively unused, this could be a remarkable solution. Hopefully we see more research put into this discovery and have seaweed fuel put to use in the near future.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/07/05/biofuels_from_the_sea.html

http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/laminaria_digitata.html