Trending Now - Kelp as Fuel for Planes and Ships Faces Significant Challenges

WHO:

ABC News - Scott Lindell, a marine scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

ABC News - Hauke Kite-Powell, an engineer and economic analyst at Woods Hole.

ABC News - Oliver Dixon, a shellfish farmer based in Point Judith, Rhode Island.

ABC News - Bren Smith, an ocean farmer and co-founder of GreenWave.

WHAT:

ABC News - Kelp can be used in biofuels that could power ships and aircraft.

ABC News - Kelp can be grown in the ocean with minimal resources, unlike corn which requires agricultural land, fresh water, and pesticides.

ABC News - Researchers have bred kelp varieties that can produce up to three times more biomass than conventional strains.

ABC News - Oliver Dixon expects to harvest about 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms) of kelp.

ABC News - Dixon's 9-acre (3.6-hectare) farm is hundreds of times smaller than what would be needed to produce biofuel.

WHERE:

ABC News - Woods Hole, Massachusetts, is located about a 90-minute drive south of Boston.

ABC News - Point Judith, Rhode Island, is where Oliver Dixon's farm is located.

WHEN:

ABC News - The MARINER program, aimed at developing tools for kelp-based biofuel production, was initiated in 2016 and concluded in 2024.

WHY:

ABC News - There is a need for sustainable energy sources that do not rely solely on petroleum.

ABC News - Oil price volatility, driven by international conflicts such as the war in Iran, has led to renewed interest in energy independence.

ABC News - Farmers face difficulties finding consistent buyers for kelp, which discourages expansion.

HOW:

ABC News - Kelp biofuel is produced through a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, which uses heat and pressure.

ABC News - The MARINER program included projects focused on developing heat-resistant kelp strains and studying seaweed genomes.

ABC News - Kelp farming in the U.S. faces regulatory hurdles, as coastal waters are prioritized for recreation, fishing, and conservation.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 15:47 UTC)

A new initiative in kelp farming is gaining attention as researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, including marine scientist Scott Lindell and engineer Hauke Kite-Powell, explore its potential for sustainable biofuels that could power ships and aircraft. Shellfish farmer Oliver Dixon, who operates a small farm in Point Judith, Rhode Island, expects to harvest about 10,000 pounds of kelp, which is significantly less than the vast areas needed for traditional biofuel crops like corn. The MARINER program, which ran from 2016 to 2024, focused on developing innovative tools and heat-resistant kelp strains, but regulatory challenges remain as coastal waters are often reserved for recreation and conservation.