Algae key to reducing CO2

Pop quiz, hotshot: what do you know about algae farms?

Algae multiply at top speed, reaching maturity at three days, and they suck up CO2 like a floating rainforest. Also, algae farming may be an eco-friendly carbon offset solution. One football field end zone of algae can produce the equivalent biodiesel of three entire football fields of soybeans.

It’s still barely past the “good idea” stage, but algae farming has a foothold in warmer climates like Australia and the Southern US.

So why not Canada? Well, beyond the restrictive and chilly northern climate, there’s also concern about footprint. The average pond with algae life in it is about 28 cm deep; to mass-cultivate it would require a lot of space. You also have to use the right strains of algae to combat the right kind of pollutants…and there are an estimated 30 to 150 million of them.

Innoventures Canada (I-CAN) wants to find a way to make it work. In order to get past the aforementioned roadblocks, they have come up with three possible solutions:

• Algae Greenhouses. It’s not as efficient as a pond, but some algae-growers use small bags. However, the size and cost of the bags is limiting, so I-CAN is combining these by creating a larger-format closed system, in the form of a covered pond.
• Deeper Ponds. A metre-deep pond takes up less space, but creates issues with light penetration; algae need sunlight. I-CAN is currently exploring lighting options.
• Research. The Alberta Research Council has already been performing research for about two years to find out if this process is even feasible. I-CAN believes it’s worthwhile – if Canada finds the right strains, the information could be sold.

The overarching idea is to create these farms near industrial areas causing CO2 emissions so a symbiotic relationship can ensue. Algae require the CO2 and the warmth generated by industrial facilities, and industry could extend its lifespan.

Even when algae die, it’s still useful.  Its oil can be rendered and removed, and the leftovers are suitable as fertilizer or biofuel. Why didn’t we think to harness this resource sooner?