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.
This project's research on feedstock appropriate to high pH waters may be particularly germane to the
West where water is limiting.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
(1) Demonstrated high lipid production with alkaliphilic algae including Scenedesmus WC-1 and diatom
RGd-1. (2) Significantly increased growth rates and lipid yields with different culturing conditions (pH,
aeration, light:cycling, bicarbonate) (3) Filed provisional patent on bicarbonate work (jointly supported
by DOD and AFOSR)
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 5
See Overall Impressions text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 7
Lab scale experiments are completed, will address 50 gallon and 500 gallon outdoor open pond studies in
summer of 2011.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 5
Much of the data is focussed on calibraiton curves (or related thereof) for Nile Red and lipid density. Past
that, there appears to be some shake flask work that looks at batch cell growth and some ntrate uptake, but
past that this work is premature. The open pond data appeared to be one time only, over 24 days (almost a
batch curve). This data was not well discussed or explained.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 4
Conceptual definition of a high pH production system is needed to put progress into commerical context.
Presenter Response
Open pond tests are scheduled for this summer.
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: 6
Relevance is still somewhat open to discussion. True it is algae, but the alkalophilic nature is special case
until further development work is done.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 7
May be particularly relevant to algal biofuels' development in the West. Central premise of study remains
to be tested, however (that high pH growing conditions are protective to algae vis-a-vis competitors and
predators).
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
Algal Biofuels have potential to produce significant amounts of biodiesel, but this is in the early stages of
development.
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