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.
harvesting/dewatering)
iii. Downstream Refining R&D (ex. extraction, conversion, fuel, products, fuel/product infrastructure and
end-use)
iv. Environmental sustainability (example: water use, GMOs, energy consumption).
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 4
Goals are listed rather than CSFs.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 4
Some factors are well-considered at this early stage (e.g., ability to return seawater without nutrient
enrichment to sea due to algal N depletion to cause lipids to rise). Others need more attention. For
example, more attention is needed on the effect of different strains and conficting goals of lipid extraction
on byproducts (e.g., aquaculture feeds). Algal strains lacking high carotenoid levels are needed for
production of fish pellets for cod to prevent them being pink, not white....a market problem. A major
current deficiency in aquaculture feeds for marine fish is to supply omega 3 fatty acids---this is leading to
overfishing of small fish and krill to supply protein/omega 3 fatty acids to salmon etc farms. It would be
helpful for this young project to address how problems such as this can be addressed to produce valuable
byproducts (e.g. aquaculture feeds) while producing biofuels in a sustainable manner.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
As with the other projects, these revolve around microalgal productivity, efficiency and cost of
harvesting, downstream carbon intensity, and aquafeed product value. Cellana should talk to RAE, as
they have developed an apparently efficient way of harvesting algal biomass.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 3
See Overall Impression text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 5
Critical success factors were described but it was unclear whether the project will overcome these factors
using traditional approaches.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 2
The presentation of the data was "couched" in terms that were misleading.
The group has no extraction technology put in place and no obvious mechanism to deal with the salt that
will be most prevalent.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 4
Critical success factors are identified, but they are defined in the context of producing a high value algae
product. A limited amount of technology developed is likely to be applicable to large scale biofuel
production.
5. Technology Transfer and Collaborations
Please comment on the degree to which the project adequately interfaces and coordinates with other
institutions and projects to provide additional benefits to the Biomass Program, such as publications,
awards, or others.
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