Chapter 1
Energy from Microalgae: A Brief
Introduction
Eduardo Jacob-Lopes, Leila Queiroz Zepka
and Maria Isabel Queiroz
Abstract This chapter provides a brief overview of some of the major steps in the
development of microalgae-based processes for renewable energy production. The
chapter attempts to highlight the development and evolution of the key concepts
and research in the field, preparing the reader for the following chapters, which will
deepen the discussion on the subject.
Keywords Algae Á Microalgae-based process Á Algae products
Bioenergy Á Biofuel
The race for renewables is underway. The growing trend toward the search for
alternative and economically viable matrices is one of the main focuses of industrial
biotechnology. Issues such as the global concerns of fossil fuels depletion, climate
change, and increasing world population have become key determinants of the
current energy imbalance (Staples et al. 2017).
Biofuels are considered the most likely sources of energy that can replace a
sizeable amount of fossil fuels. Currently, biofuels are classified from first to fourth
generation. The third generation biofuel production is mainly based on microalgae
(Harun et al. 2010). Some microalgae are known to produce fairly high amounts of
intra- and extracellular energy compounds that can be used for biofuels manufacture
E. Jacob-Lopes (&) Á L. Q. Zepka
Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University
of Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: jacoblopes@pq.cnpq.br
L. Q. Zepka
e-mail: lqz@pq.cnpq.br
M. I. Queiroz
School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG),
96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
e-mail: queirozmariaisabel@gmail.com
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Energy from Microalgae, Green Energy
and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69093-3_1
1
Energy from Microalgae: A Brief
Introduction
Eduardo Jacob-Lopes, Leila Queiroz Zepka
and Maria Isabel Queiroz
Abstract This chapter provides a brief overview of some of the major steps in the
development of microalgae-based processes for renewable energy production. The
chapter attempts to highlight the development and evolution of the key concepts
and research in the field, preparing the reader for the following chapters, which will
deepen the discussion on the subject.
Keywords Algae Á Microalgae-based process Á Algae products
Bioenergy Á Biofuel
The race for renewables is underway. The growing trend toward the search for
alternative and economically viable matrices is one of the main focuses of industrial
biotechnology. Issues such as the global concerns of fossil fuels depletion, climate
change, and increasing world population have become key determinants of the
current energy imbalance (Staples et al. 2017).
Biofuels are considered the most likely sources of energy that can replace a
sizeable amount of fossil fuels. Currently, biofuels are classified from first to fourth
generation. The third generation biofuel production is mainly based on microalgae
(Harun et al. 2010). Some microalgae are known to produce fairly high amounts of
intra- and extracellular energy compounds that can be used for biofuels manufacture
E. Jacob-Lopes (&) Á L. Q. Zepka
Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University
of Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: jacoblopes@pq.cnpq.br
L. Q. Zepka
e-mail: lqz@pq.cnpq.br
M. I. Queiroz
School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG),
96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
e-mail: queirozmariaisabel@gmail.com
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Energy from Microalgae, Green Energy
and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69093-3_1
1