Reviewer Comments - EERE

2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments
Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s
Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program.
required transport pathways and energy requirements, will provide necessary metrics for site
prioritization. 2.7 The project team agrees with the reviewer's comment. However, in recognition of the
DOE OBP’s challenge of establishing a credible, accurate inventory of national feedstock resource
potential and assessing environmentally sustainable feedstock potential, our goal is to develop a feedstock
supply assessment framework that can be readily updated and improved as new data, models and
information become available. Thus, over the long-term, the expectation is that many researchers and
institutions will contribute to addressing OBP’s challenge, and the IAF will provide a framework for
organizing and utilizing research results, and contributing to the needed assessments.
3. Project Relevance
The project both identifies with and contributes to meeting the platform goals and objectives of the
Biomass Program Multi-Year Program Plan
The project has considered applications of the expected outputs
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 7
This project is extremely relevant to the OBP program on algal biofuels.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 5
These models will be helpful to establishment of biofuels' farms, but need careful data input and
sensitivity analysis of models.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 4
Effort further provides the DOE with analysis framework to holistically evaluate U.S. microalgae
production potential and associated resource requirements and feedstock logistics
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 6
See Overall Impression text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 6
The project is relevant to platform goals.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 5
Again, the relevance is predicated on a much clearer integration or collaborative relationship with the
other PNNL study (and the Idaho model).
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 8
Work is hihgly relevant because an accurate assessment to define alagal biofuel potential is necessary.
Presenter Response
3.1 N/C 3.2 We agree with the reviewer's comment. Please see Response 2.2. We further agree that
sensitivity studies will be an important tool to understanding the various tradeoffs involved in the siting
and scaling of industrial-scale feedstock supply enterprises, and the associated resource and infrastructure
requirements. These sensitivity studies will be conducted under the IAF testing and demonstration efforts
for this project scheduled for FY12. 3.3 N/C 3.4 N/C 3.5 N/C 3.6 We agree with the reviewer's comment.
This project is by design a collaborative effort that is integrating PNNL’s BAT with INL’s ALM, and
utilizes the existing capabilities at both laboratories as a point of departure. In addition, please see
Response 1.6. 3.7 The overall objective of this project in collaboration with the INL project is to develop
Page 112 of 223