Launching Bioproduct Enterprises in Rural Communities Using Algae Produced During Wastewater Reclamation

MicroBio Engineering Inc.Topic 8.6 Rural Community DevelopmentLaunching Bioproduct Enterprises in Rural CommunitiesUsing Algae Produced during Wastewater ReclamationPROJECT SUMMARYUSDA recognizes microalgae as a potential feedstock for the US bioeconomy and several companies areoperating to manufacture algae bioproducts—bioplastics biofertilizers and biostimulants. They reportstrong demand but their growth is limited by the nearly negligible supply of algae in the US. This projectwill lay the foundation for a domestic algae supply that greatly benefits rural communities and industrieswho are growing algae in their wastewater treatment pond systems but not harvesting the algae currently.We propose the establishment of algae supply networks in regions with numerous wastewater pondsystems. Treatment ponds are common numbering 8000 publicly owned treatment systems with roughlyan equal number of industrial and agricultural pond systems. With a disproportionate number of thesepond systems located in rural communities they represent an opportunity for rural development thatbenefits these communities both economically and environmentally. Algae make an essential contributionto treatment by providing photosynthetic dissolved oxygen and by uptaking waste nutrients. Howeverafter treatment the algae biomass becomes a solids management problem for most pond systemsoperators.The Phase I project will develop plans for a network of wastewater treatment pond facilities inCentral/Northern California that already generate algal biomass within their treatment process with thefundamental goal to: Increase bioproduct feedstock recovery and broadly the sustainability of thewastewater treatment industry while concurrently helping the treatment plants meet increasinglystringent discharge limits and generate revenue.This will be accomplished through tasks including collaboration with rural communities to developpreliminary engineering plans for algae harvesting and drying equipment. The feasibility of regional algaebioproduct manufacturing facilities will be evaluated in cooperation with project partners.Technicalecononmic and social barriers to developing an algae biomass production and bioproducts network willbe identified and potential solutions developed in collaboration with stakeholders.The Phase II project will pilot the harvesting and bioproduct production with biomass from theparticipating facilities and manufacturers selected during Phase I allowing an in-depth analysis of thepotential for participants and investors. Phase III would involve the final design and implementation ofthe algae supply network facilities ultimately serving as a model which can be replicated in other ruralregions of the U.S.