Seaweed power got another shot in the arm today as a team of experts recommended extended study into the aquatic plant as a power source in Scotland. The announcement marks the second occasion in recent weeks in which a European nation has focused additional efforts into developing seaweed as a viable energy resource.

Like other aquatic biofuels such as algae, seaweed power is attractive because it offers impressive energy returns for minimal initial investments. Additionally, it takes up no arable land, which, in the rocky soils of Scotland, or in the agricultural export-heavy economy of Italy, is an extremely attractive feature. Seaweed cultivation would also decrease demands on existing water tables, and create jobs monitoring and harvesting the energy crop.

However, aquatic farming does come with some added risk of contaminating the surrounding ecosystem if biofuel-specific seaweed strains are imported, or if genetically engineered strains of biofuel seaweed are developed.

Still, with careful implementation of safety measures, seaweed could represent both an impressive step toward reducing carbon emissions, and an important means of economic stimulus during the current market crisis.