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.
The project has presented adequate plans to recognize, address, and overcome these factors
The project has the opportunity to advance the state of technology and impact the viability of commercial
algal biomass feedstock supply and conversion, through one or more of the following:
i. Cross-Cutting Analysis (ex. economic analysis, sustainability analysis, resource assessments, risk
assessments)
ii. Feedstock Supply R&D (ex. biology, cultivation, resource use, biomass characteristics,
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: 7
The CSFs are enumerated more as the deliverables of the work. That is not too objectionable, given the
thoughtful analysis leading to the program.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 8
Continued attention to detail and QC is important. Interaction with an appropriate DoE-funded project(s)
that have production scale facilities towards end of project would be ideal. Perhaps program managers can
help here.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
Project aims to develop a suite of rapid, accurate, and reproducible analytical methods for determination
of algal biomass composition that can be applied to whole cell biomass as well as fractions generated by
processing of the biomass. Effort further aims to apply optimization of biomass pretreatment, including
enzymatic hydrolysis and conversion operations of the biomass with integration into a single, efficient
process. These items are a tall order to be achieved in this short period of time.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 7
See Overall Impressions text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 7
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 7
High marks here. In particular the use of ASTM standards from the get go. Correlating that to the profiles
of the strains grown is appropriate. The program becomes even better when it considers natural wild
mixed cultures instead of pure strains.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 3
Plans for earliest possible techno-economic modeling to produce quantitative goals for feasibility
demonstration is essential.
Presenter Response
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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