TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The photosynthetic microorganism is cultured phototrophically, under a light/dark cycle; or under natural light. The disrupting the NPQ process involves disrupting the production of at least one carotenoid and/or reducing the expression of at least one carotenoid binding protein in the photosynthetic microorganism; and inhibiting the expression of the orange carotenoid protein (OCP) in the photosynthetic microorganism. In the method, all or a portion of OCP gene in the photosynthetic microorganism is removed. The photosynthetic microorganism is cultured in a photobioreactor or pond. The culture undergoes active mixing. The microorganism comprises at least one non-native nucleic acid molecule encoding a thioesterase or polypeptide having lipolytic activity. The photosynthetic microorganism produces a free fatty acid or a fatty acid derivative. Preferred Components: The photosynthetic microorganism is a cyanobacterium (preferably selected from a group of genera consisting of Agmenellum, Anabaena, Anabaenopsis, Anacystis, Aphanizomenon, Arthrospira, Asterocapsa, Borzia, Calothrix, Chamaesiphon, Chlorogloeopsis, Chroococcidiopsis, Chroococcus, Crinalium, Crocosphaera, Cyanobacterium, Cyanobium, Cyanocystis, Cyanospira, Cyanothece, Cylindrospermopsis, Cylindrospermum, Dactylococcopsis, Dermocarpella, Fischerella, Fremyella, Geitleria, Geitlerinema, Gloeobacter, Gloeocapsa, Gloeothece, Halospirulina, Iyengariella, Leptolyngbya, Limnothrix, Lyngbya, Microcoleus, Microcystis, Myxosarcina, Nodularia, Nostoc, Nostochopsis, Oscillatoria, Phormidium, Planktothrix, Pleurocapsa, Prochlorococcus, Prochloron, Prochlorothrix, Pseudanabaena, Rivularia, Schizothrix, Scytonema, Spirulina, Stanieria, Starria, Stigonema, Symploca, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Thermo cynechococus, Tolypothrix, Trichodesmium, Tychonema, and Xenococcus).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: At least one carotenoid comprises echinenone and/or hydroxyechinenone. At least one carotenoid binding protein comprises OCP. The fatty acid produced includes at least one 12-24C free fatty acid; or fatty acid derivative comprising an acyl chain length of 12-24 carbons. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.