Seaweed Promoted as an Alternative Energy Source

In the very near future, seaweed and algae might be harvested in order to provide society with alternative energy sources.

A report by the Scottish Association for Marine Science for The Crown Lands has urged that trial seaweed and algae farms should be set up in order to investigate the feasibility of both biomasses as potential energy sources. The seaweed and algae farms would study which types are the best for energy production. The seaweed and algae could be used to heat homes and to replace fossil fuels in cars. The methane gas produced by seaweed could be used to generate electricity and be used a fertiliser. Using seaweed and algae would help eliminate the need for the arable land and fresh water that is needed to grow other crops. Scotland's coastlines and relatively clean water sources make it the perfect place for such trial farms to be set up. This is not a new idea, in 2006 Japanese scientists developed a system of fermentation of seaweed which generates electricity.