S139: Open Pond Systems for the Stable Production of Algae Biomass

Sapphire energy uses open pond systems to cultivate algae biomass for the production of biofuel. These systems are used as they enable the economical production of algae biomass at scale. Open pond systems have many challenges which impact the robustness with which these systems can produce biomass. A critical challenge to all open pond systems is contamination and its potential consequences to productivity and stability. Sapphire has developed and continues to hone an integrated strategy to mitigate the impacts of this contamination on biomass production. Here we review the framework of producing algae biomass in these open ponds systems and then give a detailed example of how pest management strategies are devised in the lab and successfully deployed in the field. The overall result supports the premise that open pond systems are viable and economic systems to produce algae biomass for the production of biofuel.