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Proposed NREL logo, June 15, 2009

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. 

Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance

for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

NREL/BR-510-49194 • September 2010

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at 

least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste.

Cover Photo PIX15592 and Algae Photo Courtesy of Lee Elliott, 

Colorado School of Mines

Accelerating 

Commercialization 

of Algal Biofuels 

Through 

Partnerships

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Work with us!

Find out how you can work with NREL in 

the following research areas:

•	Bio-prospecting

•	Strain improvement

•	Conversion to fuels

•	Fuel testing

•	Techno-economic analysis

•	Life cycle assessment

•	Siting analysis

•	Compositional analysis.

Let’s develop promising technologies 

together!

NREL Contacts:

John Ashworth, Partnership Development 

Team Leader, National Bioenergy Center

303-384-6858

John.Ashworth@nrel.gov 

Al Darzins, Principal Group Manager, Applied 

Sciences, National Bioenergy Center

303-384-7757

Al.Darzins@nrel.gov 

Phil Pienkos, Principal Research Supervisor, 

Applied Biology, National Bioenergy Center

303-384-6269

Philip.Pienkos@nrel.gov

NREL Biomass Program: www.nrel.gov/biomass 

DOE Biomass Program Links:

U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Program: 

www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/

National Algal Biofuel Technologies Roadmap: 

www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/algal_

biofuels_roadmap.pdf

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. 

Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated 

by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
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Overcoming algal

biofuels challenges 

with fundamental

and applied R&D.

NREL is accelerating algal 

biofuels commercialization

through:

•	Advances in applied biology

•	Algal strain development

•	Development of fuel conversion pathways

•	Techno-economic analysis

•	Development of high-throughput lipid

analysis methodologies.

NREL scientists and engineers are addressing 

challenges across the algal biofuels value chain, 

including algal biology, cultivation, harvesting and 

extraction, and fuel conversion.

Through partnerships, NREL can share knowledge and 

capabilities in the following areas. 

Algal Biology

A fundamental understanding of algal 

biology is key to developing cost-effective 

algal biofuels processes.

NREL scientists are experts in the isolation 

and characterization of microalgal species. 

They are identifying genes and pathways 

involved in biofuel production. In addition, 

they have developed a high-throughput, 

non-destructive technique for assessing 

lipid production in microalgae.

Cultivation

NREL researchers study algal growth 

capabilities and perform compositional 

analysis of algal biomass. Laboratory-scale 

photobioreactors and 1-m2 open raceway 

ponds in an on-site greenhouse allow for 

year-round cultivation of algae under a 

variety of conditions. A bioenergy-focused 

algal strain collection is being established at 

NREL, and our laboratory houses a 

cryopreservation system 

for long-term 

maintenance of algal 

cultures and preservation 

of intellectual property.

Harvesting and Extraction

NREL is investigating cost-effective 

harvesting and extraction methods suitable 

for a variety of species and conditions. Areas 

of expertise include cell wall analysis and 

deconstruction and identification and 

utilization of co-products.

Fuel Conversion

NREL’s excellent capabilities and facilities for 

biochemical and thermochemical conversion 

of biomass to biofuels are being applied to 

algal biofuels processes. Analysts are also 

testing algal fuel properties to measure 

energy content and ensure compatibility with 

existing fueling infrastructure.

Cross-cutting Analysis

NREL scientists and engineers are conducting 

rigorous techno-economic analyses of algal 

biofuels processes. In addition, they are 

performing a full life cycle assessment of the 

entire algae-to-biofuels process.

Courtesy of Lee Elliott, Colorado School of Mines PIX 14581 Courtesy of Nature Beta Technologies, Ltd.