THE ARPA-E MARINER PROGRAM AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFF-SHORE CULTIVATION OF MACROALGAE (SEAWEED)

The Advanced Research Project Agency Energy (ARPA-E) recently launched the MARINER (MAcroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources) funding program focusing on the development of advanced technologies for large-scale cultivation of macroalgae in the ocean.  This effort has been motivated by a desire to leverage the United States' extensive ocean resources for the sustainable production of large quantities of biomass for fuels and chemicals, while not competing with farm land and freshwater needs of terrestrial agriculture.  The program covers various technologies tailored to a diverse range of geographies.  A particular emphasis is placed on scalability, maximizing renewable energy return, as well as ensuring optimal nutrient supply from either anthropogenic (eutrophication zones) or naturally occuring sources.  As part of this program, ARPA-E is working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a marine spatial atlas for US waters, which can help identify appropriate locations for seaweed farms and assist in the permitting process.  This presentation will provide an overview of the specific program goals and a preview of the scope of individual projects.  In addition, the presentation will outline potential stepping stones for the growth of a U.S. based macroalgae industry as well as opportunities to engage with the MARINER program.