Scottish Seaweed could 'fuel future'

by Paul Conneally | October 25, 2008 at 11:57 pm

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Scotland could be at the centre of moves to utilise seaweed and algae biomass to be used for fuel and heating.

Moves are being made to set up pilot seaweed farms off the West Coast of Scotland to find out which seaweeds are the most energy rich and most economical to produce.

"Extracting energy from seaweed is a particularly efficient and reliable method of producing green energy " - Prof. Mike Cowling, The Crown Estate.

Pilot seaweed and algae farms are needed to assess Scotland's marine biomass potential, experts have urged.

The recommendation comes in a report on using biomass for heating and fuel while avoiding the use of valuable agricultural land.

Scientists want to see pilot farms and research into the most energy-rich types of seaweed.

The report was carried out by the Scottish Association for Marine Science for The Crown Estate.

Prof 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, to heat our homes and fuel our vehicles.