Production and Sourcing RD&D focuses on improving the economic production or supply of renewable carbon resources by developing novel sources or improving current systems. Ongoing resource production activities include, supporting applied RD&D resource supply chain and sustainability analysis, analyzing potential biomass or waste supply availability, and collecting and analyzing data on energy crop production such as Algal Production.
Furthermore, production and sourcing RD&D concentrates on improving or evaluating new energy crop varieties, through traditional breeding and genetic engineering, while developing best management and sustainability practices for energy crop systems. This includes investigating the production of energy crops on either unprofitable marginal lands or as part of a landscape design where energy crops are grown in concert with commodity crops to increase profits and provide ecosystem services.
Global Algae Innovations outdoor algae raceway ponds. Photo courtesy of NREL.
