MODELING OFFSHORE MACROALGAL FARMING AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO ENERGY SECURITY
Kristen A Davis, University of California Irvine, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Irvine, United States, Christina Frieder, University of California Irvine, Irvine, United States, Marcelo Chamecki, University of California Los Angeles, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, United States, James C McWilliams, University of California in Los Angeles, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Los Angeles, United States, Martha Sutula, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, United States, Raphael Martin Kudela, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, United States, Javier Infante, Ocean Rainforest, Inc., Santa Barbara, Chile, Yan Chao, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States, Faycal Kessouri, University of California Los Angeles, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, United States, Daniel Dauhajre, University of California, Los Angeles, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, United States and Meredith L McPHERSON, University of California, Santa Cruz, United States
Abstract:
Offshore macroalgal farming is being assessed for its potential as a biofuel resource. Yet, scalability and siting are still under evaluation. We have developed a framework to site and estimate offshore macroalgal harvest potential by simulating farm growth from oceanographic inputs coupled to a dynamic macroalgal growth model. Potential farm locations are also constrained by operational requirements and existing use of ocean spaces. We will demonstrate the utility of this framework for giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, along the California coast and evaluate industry scaling required for consideration as a biofuel resource.
