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.
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: 2
It is difficult to judge the true relevance. Certainly alternative, high lipid feedstocks can be considered a
Platform goal. It is not clear whether this duckweed is a legitimate choice for a feedstock. It grows rapidly
in some places, is easier to harvest than algae probably, and there are lipids and starches produced. But
there was no discussion as to why choose duckweed? Some catalog of the reasons for this organism as
opposed to all others should be a basis, but is not presented. What previous work has been done? Is there
some primitive technical analysis and even LCA that justifies this project?
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 4
There is a large degree of transcriptomics/genomics work here that appears to represent excellent basic
science; its payoff for biofuels' development is hard to evaluate because applications are beyond the scope
of the project.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 5
Unclear. Although potentially good science, how could this approach translate into oil accumulation in
Lemna? This is not discussed.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 0
Relevance has not been established. See other comments.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 2
Duckweed is an interesting model plant system but there is no objective evidence that duckweed
production systems are viable for large scale production. In the absence of such evidence, this project is
not relevant to program goals.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 4
If the duckweed productivity is as high as claimed, and if harvest and dewatering is easy, then the
biomass should be a good feedstock even without high oil content.
Presenter Response
As we described in the presentation, duckweed is the smallest flowering plant, with one of the highest
increases in biomass among known species. Given the very high level of investment in microalgae to
date, both in the private and public sector, a reluctance to consider alternatives such as macroalgae and
aquatic flowering plants is certainly understandable. However, the very high yields and ease of harvest
are very well established, and our project therefore focuses on the promise of increasing lipid content.
4. Critical Success Factors
The project has identified critical factors, (including technical, business, market, regulatory, and legal
factors) that impact the potential technical and commercial success of the project
The project has presented adequate plans to recognize, address, and overcome these factors
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