An American startup is testing the robotic kelp farm concept

California-based startup Marine BioEnergy will soon start testing the “kelp elevator” prototype to verify the concept of kelp farms in the open ocean. It's possible to produce biocrude from kelp. Biocrude can be further converted to gasoline or jet fuel.

Kelp doesn't usually grow in the open ocean because it needs both abundant sunshine and nutrients. Coastal areas are ideal for kelp growth; however, it isn't possible to grow kelp there in the large quantities necessary for significant biocrude production.

Marine BioEnergy has come up with a revolutionary process called depth cycling which gives kelp access to both nutrients in the depths, and light near the surface. In 2015, Marine BioEnergy obtained a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to verify the functionality of the new concept.