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: 5
See Overall Impressions text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 7
The broad objectives are to develop and use high lipid producing alkaliphilic (sp?) strains from culture
collections, determine kinetic parameters in lab-scale studies, and then test strains in open ponds at pilot
scale at Utah State Univ. The science is sound and objectives are reasonable.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 6
It is relevant to approach production in extrememe environments for all the reasons stated. And the use of
high pH water is reasonable but the presentation lacked a clear demonstration of just how much of this
kind of water there is. What is the resource and what is the rational amount of fuel that can be produced?
Where are these waters located (i.e., in cold climates open culture or photobioreactors are severely
challenged).
I think overall this is an interesting project, extreme environments for high pH water) that will be stressed
in terms of resource allocation and commercial application.
The PI should do more than just propose extreme pH. The defense of this approach, from a resource
management and commercial application point of view needs to be defended.
Also, present biomass data as gdw l-1.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 4
The project needs specifc goals for productivity and yield based on commercial algal biofuel production
requirements.
Presenter Response
There is a significant amount of non-potable high pH and salinity water in the west, where potable water
is extremely limited. Other, funded specific projects are focused on determining the water resources
available across the country to determine where our work will be feasible.
2. Technical Progress and Accomplishments
Please evaluate the degree to which the project has made progress in its objectives and stated project
management plan has met its objectives in achieving milestones and overcoming technical barriers.
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 7
Progress has been good through the several years of work. Still, the large scale-up effort remains.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 6
The project is 65% complete and is now concentrating on characterization of 4 green algae and 4 diatoms
but has found 30 strains that will grow at pH greater than 9.5 despite not being able to use carbonate as a
C source (at least the main targets do not).
Lipid production from these is high, based on Nile red; some analytical chemistry should be used to
support the Nile red results.
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