in particular water management, presents both challenges and opportunities, many of
which can only be resolved at the local level. Existing cost estimates need to be
improved and this will require empirical data on the performance of systems
designed specifically to produce biofuels. At the current time it appears that the
sustainable production of biofuels from microalgae requires a leap of faith, but there
are nonetheless grounds for optimism. The diversity of algae species is such that it is
highly likely that new applications and products will be found. As experience with
algal cultivation increases it may also be found that biofuels have a role to play. An
important caveat to all these conclusions is that they reflect the state of the existing
academic literature, and this is inevitably an imperfect reflection of the status of the
sector. It is quite possible that many of the challenges identified are being addressed,
but that the information about how this is being achieved is yet to make it into the
public domain.
References
Abdelkhaalek EI, Mohamed B, Mohammed AM, Lotfi A (2016) Growth performance and biochemical of nineteen microalgae collected from different Moroccan reservoirs. Mediterr Mar Sci
17:1320
Batan L, Quinn JC, Bradley TH (2013) Analysis of water footprint of a photobioreactor microalgae
biofuel production system from blue, green, and lifecycle perspectives. Algal Res 2(3):196–203
Benemann JR, Oswald WJ (1996) Systems and economic analysis of microalgae ponds for
conversion of carbon dioxide to biomass. Final Report: Grant No. DEFG2293PsC93204
Borowitzka MA (1999) Commercial production of microalgae: ponds, tanks, tubes and fermenters.
J Biotechnol 70(13):313–321
Brennan L, Owende P (2010) Biofuels from microalgae—a review of technologies for production,
processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products. Renew Sust Energ Rev 14:557–577
Brune DE, Lundquist TJ, Benemann JR (2009) Microalgal biomass for greenhouse gas reductions:
Potential for replacement of fossil-fuels and animal feeds. J Environ Eng 135(11):1136–1144
Campbell W, Naucler T, Ruijs J (2008) Carbon capture & storage: assessing the economics.
McKinsey Climate Change Initiative. https://assets.wwf.ch/downloads/mckinsey2008.pdf
Caprio FD, Altimari P, Toro L, Pagnanelli F (2015) Effect of lipids and carbohydrates extraction on
astaxanthin stability in Scenedesmus sp. Chem Eng Trans 43:1–6
Carvalho A (2006) Microalgal Reactors: a review of enclosed system designs and performances.
Biotechnol Prog 22:1490–1506
Chisti Y (2007) Biodiesel from microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 25(3):294–306
Chisti Y (2008) Biodiesel from microalgae beats bioethanol. Trends Biotechnol 26(3):126–131
Davis R, Aden A, Pienkos PT (2011) Techno-economic analysis of autotrophic microalgae for fuel
production. Appl Energy 88:3524–3531
Davis R, Biddy M, Jones S (2012) Algal lipid extraction and upgrading to hydrocarbons technology
pathway. National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
NREL/TP-5100-58049, PNNL-22315
Davis R, Markham J, Kinchin C, Grundl N, Tan ECD, Humbrid D (2016) Process design and
economics for the production of algal biomass: algal biomass production in open pond systems
and processing through dewatering for downstream conversion. National Renewable Energy
Laboratory. NREL/TP-5100-64772
Demirbas A (2006) Oily products from mosses and algae via pyrolysis. Energy Sour Pt A 28
(10):933–940
1 Algal Biofuel: A Sustainable Approach for Fuel of Future Generation
25
which can only be resolved at the local level. Existing cost estimates need to be
improved and this will require empirical data on the performance of systems
designed specifically to produce biofuels. At the current time it appears that the
sustainable production of biofuels from microalgae requires a leap of faith, but there
are nonetheless grounds for optimism. The diversity of algae species is such that it is
highly likely that new applications and products will be found. As experience with
algal cultivation increases it may also be found that biofuels have a role to play. An
important caveat to all these conclusions is that they reflect the state of the existing
academic literature, and this is inevitably an imperfect reflection of the status of the
sector. It is quite possible that many of the challenges identified are being addressed,
but that the information about how this is being achieved is yet to make it into the
public domain.
References
Abdelkhaalek EI, Mohamed B, Mohammed AM, Lotfi A (2016) Growth performance and biochemical of nineteen microalgae collected from different Moroccan reservoirs. Mediterr Mar Sci
17:1320
Batan L, Quinn JC, Bradley TH (2013) Analysis of water footprint of a photobioreactor microalgae
biofuel production system from blue, green, and lifecycle perspectives. Algal Res 2(3):196–203
Benemann JR, Oswald WJ (1996) Systems and economic analysis of microalgae ponds for
conversion of carbon dioxide to biomass. Final Report: Grant No. DEFG2293PsC93204
Borowitzka MA (1999) Commercial production of microalgae: ponds, tanks, tubes and fermenters.
J Biotechnol 70(13):313–321
Brennan L, Owende P (2010) Biofuels from microalgae—a review of technologies for production,
processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products. Renew Sust Energ Rev 14:557–577
Brune DE, Lundquist TJ, Benemann JR (2009) Microalgal biomass for greenhouse gas reductions:
Potential for replacement of fossil-fuels and animal feeds. J Environ Eng 135(11):1136–1144
Campbell W, Naucler T, Ruijs J (2008) Carbon capture & storage: assessing the economics.
McKinsey Climate Change Initiative. https://assets.wwf.ch/downloads/mckinsey2008.pdf
Caprio FD, Altimari P, Toro L, Pagnanelli F (2015) Effect of lipids and carbohydrates extraction on
astaxanthin stability in Scenedesmus sp. Chem Eng Trans 43:1–6
Carvalho A (2006) Microalgal Reactors: a review of enclosed system designs and performances.
Biotechnol Prog 22:1490–1506
Chisti Y (2007) Biodiesel from microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 25(3):294–306
Chisti Y (2008) Biodiesel from microalgae beats bioethanol. Trends Biotechnol 26(3):126–131
Davis R, Aden A, Pienkos PT (2011) Techno-economic analysis of autotrophic microalgae for fuel
production. Appl Energy 88:3524–3531
Davis R, Biddy M, Jones S (2012) Algal lipid extraction and upgrading to hydrocarbons technology
pathway. National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
NREL/TP-5100-58049, PNNL-22315
Davis R, Markham J, Kinchin C, Grundl N, Tan ECD, Humbrid D (2016) Process design and
economics for the production of algal biomass: algal biomass production in open pond systems
and processing through dewatering for downstream conversion. National Renewable Energy
Laboratory. NREL/TP-5100-64772
Demirbas A (2006) Oily products from mosses and algae via pyrolysis. Energy Sour Pt A 28
(10):933–940
1 Algal Biofuel: A Sustainable Approach for Fuel of Future Generation
25