CSU Researchers Studying Algae Biofuel Emissions
Armed with a $325,000 National Science Foundation grant, two Colorado State University professors will study the emissions produced from algae as biofuel.
Anthony Marchese and Azer Yalin, associate professors in mechanical engineering, will focus their research on the potential for unintended hazardous emissions that could develop if algae biofuel saw large-scale deployment.
“One of the reasons we’re interested in algae-based biofuels is because of their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce our dependence on imported oil,” Marchese said. “What are the consequences if we were to suddenly go from zero to 20 billion gallons of algae-based biofuel per year over the next 20 years? Are there going to be any consequences that we may not have thought about? Recent history is littered with examples where we’ve moved too quickly with the technology without understanding the risks.”
