{"id":55497,"date":"2025-04-24T17:20:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T21:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=55497"},"modified":"2025-04-24T18:22:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T22:22:02","slug":"join-the-city-of-lakeland-florida-dep-and-bonnet-springs-park-for-an-exclusive-look-at-innovative-algae-reduction-to-biofuel-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2025\/04\/24\/join-the-city-of-lakeland-florida-dep-and-bonnet-springs-park-for-an-exclusive-look-at-innovative-algae-reduction-to-biofuel-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"JOIN THE CITY OF LAKELAND, FLORIDA DEP AND BONNET SPRINGS PARK FOR AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT INNOVATIVE ALGAE REDUCTION TO BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;The City of Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park, and global infrastructure leader AECOM invite the public and media to a special&nbsp;Open House on May 14, 2025, showcasing a transformative, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)-funded initiative that is revolutionizing the fight against harmful algal blooms \u2014 and turning environmental challenges into renewable energy solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"ep-gutenberg-content-4c30950113e94f641ecc5a7c336a5c6b\" class=\"ep-gutenberg-content aligncenter ep-percentage-width   ep-content-protection-disabled\" data-embed-type=\"PDF\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SAVE-THE-DATE_BSP-EVENT_MAY2025_8.5x1185.pdf\">\n            <div class=\"embedpress-inner-iframe emebedpress-unit-percent ep-doc-4c30950113e94f641ecc5a7c336a5c6b\" style=\"max-width:600%\" id=\"embedpress-pdf-1745528996348\">\n                <div >\n                    <div class=\"ep-embed-content-wraper\"><div class=\"position-right-wraper gutenberg-pdf-wraper\"><iframe title=\"SAVE THE DATE_BSP EVENT_MAY2025_8.5&#215;11[85]\" class=\"embedpress-embed-document-pdf embedpress-pdf-1745528996348\" style=\"width:600%;height:600px; max-width:100%; display: inline-block\" src=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/embedpress\/assets\/pdf\/web\/viewer.html?&#038;file=https%3A%2F%2Flakelandgazette.info%2Fnews%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F04%2FSAVE-THE-DATE_BSP-EVENT_MAY2025_8.5x1185.pdf#key=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\" frameborder=\"0\" oncontextmenu=\"return false;\"><\/iframe> <\/div><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event will spotlight AECOM\u2019s award-winning&nbsp;Hydronucleation Flotation Technology (HFT), now paired with its&nbsp;Intelligent Process Automation System (IPAS), an innovative system designed to harvest wild algae and seamlessly integrate with&nbsp;Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL)&nbsp;to convert it into&nbsp;clean, renewable fuel. &nbsp;The innovative system is currently in place on Lake Bonnet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Held at the&nbsp;Nature Center at Bonnet Springs Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Open House will feature technology demonstrations, expert talks, and guided tours \u2014 offering an inside look at how this solution is improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms (HABs), and creating green value from waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Event Schedule:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>10:00 a.m. \u2013 Welcome &amp; Opening Remarks<br>Featuring the FDEP Grant Manager, AECOM Project Manager, and expected remarks from the Mayor, City Manager, Lakeland City Commission members, and the CEO of Bonnet Springs Park.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10:30 a.m. \u2013 Technology Showcase<br>AECOM will present the capabilities and benefits of HFT and IPAS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>11:00 a.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m. \u2013 Guided Project Tours<br>AECOM experts will lead small group tours for a close-up look at the technology in action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tackling Algal Blooms at the Source<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harmful algal blooms degrade water quality, endanger aquatic ecosystems, disrupt recreation, and pose serious health risks. These blooms are primarily fueled by&nbsp;nutrient pollution, especially excess nitrogen, and phosphorus in waterbodies.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"ep-gutenberg-content-c9dea67e48820ccd1a148e92de6ec2c8\" class=\"ep-gutenberg-content aligncenter ep-percentage-width   ep-content-protection-disabled\" data-embed-type=\"PDF\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BSP-EVENT-BROCHURE_11x17-FINAL-VERSION-00422.pdf\">\n            <div class=\"embedpress-inner-iframe emebedpress-unit-percent ep-doc-c9dea67e48820ccd1a148e92de6ec2c8\" style=\"max-width:600%\" id=\"embedpress-pdf-1745529122806\">\n                <div >\n                    <div class=\"ep-embed-content-wraper\"><div class=\"position-right-wraper gutenberg-pdf-wraper\"><iframe title=\"BSP EVENT-BROCHURE_11x17-FINAL VERSION (004)[22]\" class=\"embedpress-embed-document-pdf embedpress-pdf-1745529122806\" style=\"width:600%;height:600px; max-width:100%; display: inline-block\" src=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/embedpress\/assets\/pdf\/web\/viewer.html?&#038;file=https%3A%2F%2Flakelandgazette.info%2Fnews%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F04%2FBSP-EVENT-BROCHURE_11x17-FINAL-VERSION-00422.pdf#key=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\" frameborder=\"0\" oncontextmenu=\"return false;\"><\/iframe> <\/div><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike traditional methods that only address symptoms,&nbsp;AECOM\u2019s patented HFT and IPAS solution targets the root cause&nbsp;by physically removing nutrient-rich algae and suspended solids. Using microbubbles, the HFT process gently lifts algae from the water column, leaving behind&nbsp;clear, oxygen-rich water&nbsp;and significantly&nbsp;reducing the risk of future blooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Benefits of the Technology:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prevents Harmful Algal Blooms:\u00a0Removes excess nutrients that fuel HABs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improves Water Quality:\u00a0Returns low-nutrient, oxygenated water to aquatic ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creates Renewable Value:\u00a0Repurposes algae into fuels, fertilizers, and sustainable products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis project demonstrates how we can work with nature to both heal our environment and create sustainable resources,\u201d said&nbsp;Dan Levy, Vice President\/National Director of Algae Practice at AECOM. \u201cIt\u2019s not just cleanup \u2014 it\u2019s transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This FDEP Innovative Technologies Grant project exemplifies the power of&nbsp;science, innovation, and collaboration&nbsp;in advancing a cleaner, circular future for Florida\u2019s water resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;The City of Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park, and global infrastructure leader AECOM invite the public and media to a special&nbsp;Open House on May 14, 2025, showcasing a transformative, Florida Department&hellip; 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