Office of Technology Assessment

Energy from Open Ocean Kelp Farms Office of Technology Assessment

Large ocean energy farms may one day prove to be an alternative source of synthetic natural gas for homes and businesses. Research into new ocean biomass energy systems has been reviewed here by the Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress, with the assistance of specialists in the research and development aspects of ocean farming. This report presents the status of ocean energy farm developments and evaluates their potential. While ocean energy farms are now in the early stages of development and much research remains to be done, the prospects are encouraging. This book contains descriptive and analytic material concerning ocean biomass resources; potential for future ocean farms; technologies of ocean farming; existing government and private efforts; energy and economic data; environmental effects and legal aspects; and future research needs.