3. Availability of algae for biodiesel production
Microalgae contain lipids and fatty acids as membrane components,
storage products, metabolites and sources of energy. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and
when you realize that oil was originally formed from algae. As
could be seen from Table 1, algae contain anywhere between 2%
and 40% of lipids/oils by weight [19].
In order to have an optimal yield, these algae need to have carbon
dioxide (CO2) in large quantities in the basins or bioreactors
where they grow. Thus, the basins and bioreactors need to be coupled
with traditional thermal power centers producing electricity
which produce CO2 at an average tenor of 13% of total flue gas
emissions. The CO2 is put in the basins and is assimilated by the algae.
It is thus a technology which recycles CO2 while also treating
used water.