Typical productivity for microalgae in open ponds is 30–50 t/
hectare year [13,63]. Several possible target areas to improve productivity
in large-scale installations have been proposed [63–67].
Harvesting costs contribute 20–30% to the total cost of algal cultivation
with majority of the cost contribute to cultivation expenses.
Genetic engineering, development of low cost harvesting
processes, improvement on photobioreactor, and integration of
co-production of higher-value products/processes are other alternatives
in reducing algal oil production cost [14]. The harvested algae
next undergo anaerobic digestion producing methane which
could be used to produce electricity.