Collaborative study on algae could reduce energy costs for SRP customers

A research project involving algae could lower energy bills for some Valley power customers.

Salt River Project and Arizona State University are teaming up to see if algae can capture carbon dioxide from flue gas at coal and natural gas power plants. Flue gas is the waste product that is emitted from the plant. Algae grown naturally at the Coronado Generating Station is taken to a lab at ASU where students and researchers simulate power plant emissions.

“We have these algae strains, (so) let’s see if they’re actually compatible with this flue gas and see if they can survive under those conditions,” said Sam Villalobos, senior engineer at SRP.

The research is being led by ASU Associate Research Professor Dr. Tom Dempster on the ASU Polytechnic campus. The research program started four years ago.

“The collaboration with SRP has provided an incredible opportunity for ASU students and researchers to work with top-notch SRP personnel to advance carbon capture technology and explore valuable co-products from the resulting biomass production,” Dempster said.

Villalobos said if the algae is successful at capturing carbon dioxide, it could translate to cheaper power for SRP customers.

“If we can do things to actually limit the (carbon dioxide) or reduce the carbon footprint, that translates to cheaper rates for our rate payers,” Villalobos said. “That’s, overall, what we’re trying to achieve here.”

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