Cost analysis of aquatic biomass systems
A cost analysis of aquatic biomass systems was conducted to provide the U.S. Department of Energy with engineering cost information on which to base decisions in the area of planning and executing research and development programs dealing with aquatic biomass as an alternative energy resource. Calculations show that several hundred 100 square mile aquatic biomass farms, the size selected by DOE staff for this analysis, would be needed to provide meaningful supplies of energy. With this background, specific engineering analyses were conducted on two original design concepts for 100 square mile aquatic biomass energy farms. These systems were an open-ocean system and a land-based system; outstanding experts in all aspects of this project were called upon to participate and provide information in projecting the costs for harvested aquatic biomass for these systems. It was found that the projections of costs for harvested open-ocean biomass, utilizing optimistic assumptions of scientific and engineering design parameters, appear to be above any practical costs to be considered for energy. One of the major limitations is due to the need to provide upwelled sub-surface water containing needed nutrients, for which pumping energy is required. It is concluded from this analysis that large scale land-based aquatic biomass farms may merit development, but perhaps within a much narrower range than heretofore investigated. Aquatic plants which appear to have potential for development as an energy resource are the so-called emersed plants, or angiosperms, including many types of freshwater weeds such as duckweed, Hydrilla, and water hyacinths. It is recommended that substantially greater basic and applied knowledge on these aquatic biomass are needed, especially on growth rates and nutrient requirements.
- Research Organization:
- Dynatech R/D Co., Cambridge, MA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EG-77-C-01-4000
- OSTI ID:
- 6767272
- Report Number(s):
- HCP/ET/4000-78/1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COST
INFORMATION NEEDS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
ECONOMICS
ECOSYSTEMS
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