Long-Term Cultivation of Algae in Open-Raceway Ponds: Lessons from the Field

Abstract

Sapphire Energy's Columbus Algal Biomass (CAB) Farm uses open pond cultivation with a proprietary harvesting method to produce algal biomass. Its successful construction and operation has demonstrated the critical integration of traditional agricultural techniques with algae cultivation knowledge for algal biomass production. The aim of this article is to describe Sapphire Energy's two primary research sites in New Mexico—CAB Farm and Las Cruces Test Site (LCTS). It focuses on the key contributions and the lessons learned at CAB Farm and LCTS related to the development of algal biomass production technology. In particular, it focuses on how the knowledge gained can inform the next steps forward for producing algal biomass as an agricultural crop.