Up To Speed Algae Biofuels

Liquid fuels are widely used in cars, trucks, ships and planes. They are mainly made from petroleum oil and this is causing planet-wide environmental, social and geopolitical problems. There are numerous types of biofuels, fuels made from biological sources, such as canola, palm oil and tallow. However, biofuels have their own problems including the relatively small volumes that are available, the environmental cost of producing them, and the fact that many biofuels compete with human food. A potential solution to replace petroleum oil is algae biofuels: fuels made from oil from algae. Algae are tiny aquatic plants and they promise low cost, environmentally friendly, carbon neutral fuels produced on an industrial-scale. Around the world, dozens of companies are developing the technologies to make this a reality. There are notable successes and algae biofuels are today powering navy ships, airliners, trucks and cars. Big challenges remain, particularly reducing the cost of the end product and massively scaling up production without causing new environmental problems. However, with petroleum oil causing more trouble than it’s worth – including, ironically, the fact that it’s running out – algae biofuels promise to be the big green solution that saves the day and maybe the climate too.

Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Algae biofuel is a new green energy technology. Learn about how this energy technology developed, the risks and rewards of algae biofuel, and whether or not these tiny plants will solve the energy challenges of the future.

This edited volume focuses on comprehensive state-of-the-art information about the practical aspects of cultivation, harvesting, biomass processing and biofuel production from algae. Chapters cover topics such as synthetic ecological engineering approaches towards sustainable production of biofuel feedstock, and algal biofuel production processes using wastewater. Readers will also discover more about the role of biotechnological engineering in improving ecophysiology, biomass and lipid yields. Particular attention is given to opportunities of commercialization of algal biofuels that provides a realistic assessment of various techno-economical aspects of pilot scale algal biofuel production. The authors also explore the pre-treatment of biomass, catalytic conversion of algal lipids and hydrothermal liquefaction with the biorefinery approach in detail. In a nut shell, this volume will provide a wealth of information based on a realistic evaluation of contemporary developments in algal biofuel research with an emphasis on pilot scale studies. Researchers studying and working in the areas of environmental science, biotechnology, genetic engineering and biochemistry will find this work instructive and informative.

​This edited book presents all feasible approaches to improve technology of algal biofuels production at both qualitative and quantitative front. The book’s focus in on enhancing mass scale production of algae based biofuels by addressing technological issues and filling the existing gaps to make it smooth for practical as well as commercial implementation. The book also explores in depth analysis of various issues other than technology and related to improve technological significance for practical biofuels production from algae. Low cost strategies and higher mass production is one of the most sounding agenda of the book. The book also evaluates enlighten various sustainable algal biofuels options which are close towards commercial application along with their green future prospect. Societal and environment friendly approach even for commercial application has also been discussed in book. This is a useful reading material for researchers and students of biofuels and reneable energy.

Algae are currently being considered as a versatile feedstock for biofuel production because of their fast growth rate and high biomass productivity. Algae could simultaneously act as a carbon sink and water purifier if their cultivation were coupled with flue gas and wastewater treatment, respectively. Hence, an understanding of the overall supply chains for algal biofuel production is exceptionally important to determine whether it is worthwhile to scale up and commercialize algal cultivation for biofuel production. In this chapter, various aspects and constraints associated with the commercialization of algal biofuels are deliberated in detail, especially from the perspective of life-cycle energy balance. In addition, discussions on the economic assessments of algal biofuels are included in this chapter to provide an overview of the current state of algal biofuels in the fuel market. Potential algal biofuel conversion technologies, such as transesterification, starch hydrolysis and fermentation, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction are also presented.

This volume, The Science of Algal Fuels (volume 25 of COLE), contains 26 chapters dealing with biofuels contributed by experts from numerous countries and covers several aspects of algal products, one being “oilgae from algae,” mainly oils and fuels for engines. Among the prominent algal groups that participate in this process are the diatoms and green algae (Chlorophyceae). Their metabolism and breeding play an important role in biomass and extraction of crude oil and algal fuel. There is a strong relation between solar energy influencing algal culture and the photobiology of lipid metabolism. Currently, many international meetings and conferences on biofuel are taking place in many countries, and several new books and proceedings of conferences have appeared on this topic. All this indicates that this field is “hot” and in the forefront of applied bioscience.

This paper will explore whether algae-based biofuel is a viable alternative energy option and how the proposed federal tax incentive and other governmental programs could help propel this unique technology to become a more sustainable energy option. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the problem of developing technologies in the algae-based biofuel industry. No current regulation exists specifically with respect to algae-based biofuel as it falls into the broad category of cellulosic biofuels. This paper suggests public policy imperatives in Florida in concert with the proposed algae-based biofuel tax credit to address the economic issue of having this renewable energy alternative become sustainable and less cost-prohibitive to encourage larger scale usage.

Microalgae are one of the most studied potential sources of biofuels and bioenergy. This book covers the key steps in the production of renewable biofuels from microalgae - strain selection, culture systems, inorganic carbon utilisation, lipid metabolism and quality, hydrogen production, genetic engineering, biomass harvesting, extraction. Greenhouse gas and techno-economic modelling are reviewed as is the 100 year history of microalgae as sources of biofuels and of commercial-scale microalgae culture. A summary of relevant basic standard methods used in the study of microalgae culture is provided. The book is intended for the expert and those starting work in the field.​