Growing Kelp for Open-Sea Biocrude Cultivation

摘要

Marine algae as energy resources have received a lot of interest from researchers due to their status as non-edible sources with high specific density compared to on-land biomass sources. Giant kelp will be grown on large grids to ensure it is grown at depths of 5 to 25 meters. Each of the grids will be attached to an inexpensive robotic submarine. During the day, the robot brings the grid near the surface to allow photosynthesis to occur and at night, it brings the grid down to the cold water of the ocean to absorb nutrients. In the event of a storm or passing ships, the robots will bring the grids down. Every three months, the robot will carry out the harvesting process.