The project goals are: (I) demonstration of a technically and economically scalable pathway for the bioconversion of kelp waste into ethanol, (II) kelp-based ethanol that is commercially viable VS…

The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded a Cooperative Agreement worth $1,073,464 to Macro Oceans Inc. on September 1, 2026, under the Renewable Energy Research and Development program (CFDA 81.087).

Macro Oceans Inc. will demonstrate a technically and economically scalable pathway for bioconversion of kelp waste into ethanol and establish kelp-based ethanol as commercially viable relative to corn-based ethanol. The recipient will conduct analysis and validation of polymers and monomers present in kelp waste for conversion to fuel-grade ethanol and platform chemical feedstock; optimize hydrolysis processes and parameters to release fermentable sugars from feedstocks; perform microbial screening to identify organisms capable of handling high-salinity environments and utilizing non-conventional sugars, particularly uronic acids, then develop a fermentation process to convert those sugars to ethanol; recover and purify ethanol from fermentation broth; and perform a techno-economic analysis to demonstrate scalability. Expected outcomes include an effective hydrolysis technique, bioconversion of kelp waste hydrolysate into ethanol, and a complete techno-economic analysis.

Work is performed in San Francisco, California. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026 through November 30, 2026.

The project goals are: (I) demonstration of a technically and economically scalable pathway for the bioconversion of kelp waste into ethanol, (II) kelp-based ethanol that is commercially viable VS corn-based ethanol. Specific project objectives include: 1. Analysis & validation of polymers and monomers present in the kelp waste for conversion to ethanol to be used as a fuel and platform chemical feedstock. 2. Optimization of the hydrolysis process and parameters to release fermentable sugars from feedstocks 3. Microbial screening on the basis of their ability to handle high salinity environments and use non-conventional sugars (especially uronic acids) followed by the development of a fermentation process to convert the sugars to ethanol 4. Recovery & purification of the ethanol from the fermentation broth 5. Technoeconomic analysis of the kelp-waste-to-ethanol pathway based on the above objectives the expected project outcomes are: - effective hydrolysis technique to release fermentable sugar from kelp waste - bioconversion of kelp waste hydrolysate into ethanol - complete techno-economic analysis to demonstrate scalability