Micro-algae have received considerable interest as a potential feedstock for producing
sustainable transport fuels (biofuels). The perceived benefits provide the underpinning
rationale for much of the public support directed towards micro-algae research. Here we
examine three aspects of micro-algae production that will ultimately determine the future
economic viability and environmental sustainability: the energy and carbon balance, environmental
impacts and production cost. This analysis combines systematic review and metaanalysis
with insights gained from expert workshops.
We find that achieving a positive energy balance will require technological advances
and highly optimised production systems. Aspects that will need to be addressed in a
viable commercial system include: energy required for pumping, the embodied energy
required for construction, the embodied energy in fertilizer, and the energy required for
drying and de-watering. The conceptual and often incomplete nature of algae production
systems investigated within the existing literature, together with limited sources of primary
data for process and scale-up assumptions, highlights future uncertainties around
micro-algae biofuel production. Environmental impacts from water management, carbon
dioxide handling, and nutrient supply could constrain system design and implementation
options. Cost estimates need to be improved and this will require empirical data on the
performance of systems designed specifically to produce biofuels. Significant (>50%) cost
reductions may be achieved if CO2, nutrients and water can be obtained at low cost. This is
a very demanding requirement, however, and it could dramatically restrict the number of
production locations available.
Micro-algae have received considerable interest as a potential feedstock for producing
sustainable transport fuels (biofuels). The perceived benefits provide the underpinning
rationale for much of the public support directed towards micro-algae research. Here we
examine three aspects of micro-algae production that will ultimately determine the future
economic viability and environmental sustainability: the energy and carbon balance, environmental
impacts and production cost. This analysis combines systematic review and metaanalysis
with insights gained from expert workshops.
We find that achieving a positive energy balance will require technological advances
and highly optimised production systems. Aspects that will need to be addressed in a
viable commercial system include: energy required for pumping, the embodied energy
required for construction, the embodied energy in fertilizer, and the energy required for
drying and de-watering. The conceptual and often incomplete nature of algae production
systems investigated within the existing literature, together with limited sources of primary
data for process and scale-up assumptions, highlights future uncertainties around
micro-algae biofuel production. Environmental impacts from water management, carbon
dioxide handling, and nutrient supply could constrain system design and implementation
options. Cost estimates need to be improved and this will require empirical data on the
performance of systems designed specifically to produce biofuels. Significant (>50%) cost
reductions may be achieved if CO2, nutrients and water can be obtained at low cost. This is
a very demanding requirement, however, and it could dramatically restrict the number of
production locations available.
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