Algae interest for biodiesel, carbon reduction grows

May 11, 2009

When Missouri's Central Electric Power Cooperative held a ribbon cutting for their algae demonstration project, NBB staff members were more than happy to participate.

Located on the banks of the rolling Missouri river, the Chamois Power Plant is the perfect location to experiment with algae to reduce carbon dioxide. Power Cooperative staff provided a personal tour to give the NBB team an inside look at the pilot project.

The project brings together the collective expertise of Missouri-based Associated Electric Cooperative and Central Electric Power Cooperative with Lincoln University and Missouri University of Science and Technology to study the feasibility of using carbon dioxide in flue gas from the Chamois Power Plant to feed algae.

The demonstration project features algae growing in four large pools. The algae use energy from sunlight to feed on the flue gas carbon dioxide as it bubbles up through the water. The experiment will determine whether this process can, in fact, capture carbon dioxide and possibly reduce emissions often associated with climate change.

In addition to mitigating climate change concerns, the group envisions algae as a resource for biodiesel, ethanol and livestock feed.

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