Historical Perspective of Algae as Fuel Source Consider that 42% of the current US energy market is liquid fuels, 38% is imported (Brown - 237), 25% is used for production of electricity, and 60% of oil is for ground transportation. (Riesling) One is consistently bombarded by news reports expressing our governments concern for national security due to our dependence on oil. Many remember similar concerns during the 1970's. Recent rapid increase in oil prices renewed national interest in algae as a biofuel. Algae as a fuel source is not a new concept. When one looks at the history of the discussion, algae appears to be an answer we can't seem to believe. Consider that the Mayan and Aztec cultures used algae as a human fuel source. Moving closer to modern day, in the 1950s, NASA began discussions on the concept of algae for fuel. In 1960, concepts emerged on large-scale systems of growth ponds for harvesting algae for biomass. In 1976, the Department of Energy's (DOE) predecessor organization was working algae technology to evaluate wastewater treatment/fuel production based on microalgae. (Sheehan-17) The first, federal laboratory dedicated to solar energy development was established in 1978 -^sSolar Energy Research Institute (SERI), located in Golden, CO. The facility's research focus expanded over the years to encompass the use of plant life for transportation fuels. In the 1980s, DOE initiated the Aquatic Species Program (ASP) to support production of hydrogen. The ASP initially focused on algae growth and use of carbon dioxide from coal power plants.
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