Go green with power of seaweed

Published on Saturday 25 October 2008 19:27

SEAWEED could be used as a green fuel alternative, Scottish scientists have found.

A study looked at how marine algae could be farmed to produce biomass fuel for homes and transport. Other forms of biomass have been criticised because valuable land for crops and animals have been lost in the demand for clean alternatives to fossil fuel.

The Scottish Association of Marine Science was commissioned by the Crown Estate to conduct the research.

Professor Mike Cowling, science and research manager at the Crown Estate, said: "Given Scotland's rugged western coastline and island groups, and relatively clean seas, it is sensible to examine the farming of seaweeds and sustainable harvesting of natural supplies as a source of energy."

More research was needed to establish the practicalities, he said, but seaweed could play an "important role" in green energy.

Methane from the algae could be harnessed to generate electricity and residue could be used as a nutrient supplement for agriculture, the research showed.

Cowling said: "

Crucially, using seaweed as a source of biomass avoids the problems associated with agricultural crop biofuels such as pressure on supplies of arable land and fresh water."

The Crown Estate, which owns the seabed up to 12-miles off the British coast, said larger pilot-scale farms would help assess the full potential of marine biomass in Scotland.