Since the harvesting of seaweed as a food source has been going 

 on for nearly 50 years, no new technological breakthroughs are 

 needed to bring this about. However, ocean "farms" of over 100 

 square miles might be necessary if we are to make cultivation for 

 energy purposes economically feasible. Obviously, this would create 

 a great many siting and space-use conflicts — issues we intend to 

 delve into today. 



The major ongoing research and development project for ocean 

 biomass conversion is now being conducted by the Gas Research 

 Institute (GRI), a nonprofit scientific research organization, in con- 

 junction with the Department of Energy. Thus far, their work has 

 focused on the energy potential of a large brown seaweed called 

 California giant kelp, one of the fastest growing plants in the 

 world. We will hear today about their progress as well as about 

 some of the problems they have encountered. 



We will also hear from others who have successfully experiment- 

 ed with methods other than those employed by GRI, and with 

 seaweeds other than California giant kelp. 



Important questions about methodology and about the nutrient 

 needs, diseases, and growing habits of seaweed will have to be 

 answered before the cultivation of seaweed for energy production 

 can reach a significant level. 



Until these issues are resolved, the role which ocean biomass 

 conversion may one day play in our energy future will remain 

 highly speculative. However, it is clear that this form of energy 

 does have a great deal of potential, especially since the technology 

 needed for a major commercialization is already developed. 



Given our dwindling energy supplies and increasing dependence 

 upon foreign sources of fuel, we as a nation cannot afford to 

 investigate alternative energy sources in as plodding and methodi- 

 cal a fashion as we could 10 or 20 years ago. The major purpose of 

 our hearings today — and those we have already held on ocean 

 energy — has not only been to investigate the feasibility and poten- 

 tial of these emerging technologies, but also to encourage DOE to 

 hasten the development of those which appear the most promising. 

 Our research to this point indicates that ocean biomass conversion 

 may deserve a boost from the Federal Government. 



I would just warn the witnesses that the House is in session. We 

 will undoubtedly be interrupted by a series of votes as the House 

 attempts to undo what most of us have been doing. 



Our first witness is Mr. Martin R. Adams, Deputy Program 

 Director, Solar and Geothermal Energy, Department of Energy. 



STATEMENT OF MARTIN R. ADAMS, DEPUTY PROGRAM DIREC- 

 TOR, SOLAR AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF 

 ENERGY, ACCOMPANIED BY DR. ROBERT L. SAN MARTIN, DI- 

 RECTOR, DIVISION OF DISTRIBUTED SOLAR TECHNOLOGY 



Mr. Adams. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Accompanying me today 

 is Dr. Robert San Martin, who is the Director of the Distributed 

 Solar Division, under my direction, whose activities also include 

 the entire biomass area. 



If it is agreeable with you, sir, I would like to make summary 

 comments, and submit for the record my detailed statement. 



