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.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 3
See Overall Impression text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 4
It was very unclear how these results are relevant to program platform.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 5
Although a very good project, given the objectives, these objectives are not focussed on large scale fuel
production. The project does address a solid waste stream that needs to be managed, and how to do it with
postiive energy economics. Microalgae a way to treat waste water is very useful.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 3
There appear to be many issues with PLE that make the nutrient source problematic for algal biofuel
production: color, odor, reduction of productivity.
The economics and application at scale of immoblized nitrogen fixation should be presented.
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
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: 2
Some set of CSFs should have been devised, even though the project was exploratory in nature. Industries
are faced with this same task for their exploratory projects. Books have been written on how to control
and gauge this work. Some sort of system should have been employed here.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 3
The project is nearly complete a different approach to nutrient supply for algal biofuel's may be required
based on its results to date.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 6
Poultry litter needs to be shown as a potential low cost nutrient source for algaculture. Advanced fiber
flocculation needs to be established as a promising technology for harvesting.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 3
See Overall Impression text.
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