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Grants to Create Biodiesel from Algae
US - Brunswick Community College (BCC) in North Carolina has received grants of more than $222,500 for a project to convert algae into biodiesel.The college recently invited a group for a demonstration of the new photobioreactor, which is capable of growing a large amount of microalgae on campus.
BCC Lead Biology Instructor Michelle Sabaoun and BCC Director of Aquaculture Technology Dr Doug Holland presented information on the College’s biotech initiatives and allowed the group to get an up-close look at the large tanks behind the aquaculture facility.
Over the following month the algae grown in those tanks was processed for oil extraction and the oil converted into biodiesel for use as fuel.
The demonstration was meant to encourage others to follow BCC’s lead.
Michelle Sabaoun said: "We hope those who attended will realize that this process is possible, and promising as a future feedstock for biodiesel."
The Biotechnology program submitted a grant proposal to the state BioNetwork for approximately $185,000 so that the the programme could be expanded further, producing two potentially marketable products; oil for biodiesel and fertiliser or animal feed.
Now BioNetwork has awarded grants of $185,816 for the programme and a further $36,686 for a classroom conversion for a Biotechnology Laboratory.
The grants were part of a $1.4 million handout to 15 Community Colleges across North Carolina for specialized biotechnology training. The State Board of Community Colleges approved 25 BioNetwork grants.
The state said these grants will further bolster North Carolina’s aptitude to offer the specialized education and hands-on training needed by workers to find employment in the highly-regulated biopharmaceutical industry. The funds come from a state appropriation for North Carolina Community College System BioNetwork.
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