Algal biofuels hold the potential to solve many of the sustainability challenges facing other biofuels today. Higher oil prices and increased interest in energy security have stimulated new investment. Microalgae can potentially produce 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans. Algae can be cultivated in large open ponds or in closed photobioreactors in a variety of climates.
Algal biofuels hold the potential to solve many of the sustainability challenges facing other biofuels today. Higher oil prices and increased interest in energy security have stimulated new investment. Microalgae can potentially produce 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans. Algae can be cultivated in large open ponds or in closed photobioreactors in a variety of climates.
Algal biofuels hold the potential to solve many of the sustainability challenges facing other biofuels today. Higher oil prices and increased interest in energy security have stimulated new investment. Microalgae can potentially produce 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans. Algae can be cultivated in large open ponds or in closed photobioreactors in a variety of climates.
Algal Biofuels Biofuels made from microalgae hold the potential to solve many of the sustainability challenges facing other biofuels today.
A lgal biofuels are generating
considerable interest around the world. They may represent a Renewed Interest and Funding Higher oil prices and increased Benefits of Algal Biofuels Impressive Productivity: interest in energy security have sustainable pathway for helping to stimulated new public and private Microalgae, as distinct from seaweed meet the U.S. biofuel production or macroalgae, can potentially investment in algal biofuels targets set by the Energy produce 100 times more oil per acre research. The Biomass Program is than soybeans—or any other terrestrial Independence and Security Act reviving its Aquatic Species oil-producing crop. of 2007. Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Non-Competitive Growing America’s Energy Future
Microalgae are single-cell,
(NREL) to build on past successes with Agriculture: photosynthetic organisms known and drive down the cost of large- Algae can be cultivated in large open for their rapid growth and high ponds or in closed photobioreactors scale algal biofuel production. energy content. Some algal strains located on non-arable land in a variety NREL, Sandia, and other of climates (including deserts). are capable of doubling their mass laboratories are also launching several times per day. In some research into algal biofuels for Flexible on Water Quality: cases, more than half of that private investors and programs Many species of algae thrive in mass consists of lipids or within the Defense Advanced seawater, water from saline aquifers, triacylglycerides—the same or even wastewater from treatment Research Projects Agency material found in vegetable oils. plants. (DARPA) and Air Force Office of These bio-oils can be used to Scientific Research (AFOSR). Mitigation of CO2: produce such advanced biofuels as biodiesel, green diesel, green During photosynthesis, algae use gasoline, and green jet fuel. solar energy to fix carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass, so the water used to cultivate algae must be enriched with CO2. This requirement offers an opportunity to make productive use of the CO2 from power plants, biofuel facilities, and other sources.
Broad Product Portfolio:
The lipids produced by algae can be used to produce a range of biofuels, and the remaining biomass residue has a variety of useful applications: — combust to generate heat — use in anaerobic digesters to produce methane — use as a fermentation feedstock in the production of ethanol — use in value-added byproducts, such as animal feed Challenges to Commercialization R&D Focus Areas Algal biofuels are not economical to for Algal Biofuels produce using the technology available today. Based on conservative estimates, Basic Algal Biology algal biofuels produced in large volumes Algae strain isolation and screening with current technology would cost Genetics, genomics, strain improvement tools more than $8 per gallon (in contrast to Photosynthesis and solar conversion efficiency $4 per gallon for soybean oil today). Algae lipid productivity; biochemistry, and Lowering this cost will require regulation of lipid accumulation coordinated R&D across a wide range of technical sectors (listed at right) over the next 5 to 10 years. Although the NREL and Sandia National Laboratories Process Research technical challenges are significant, the are working with DOE to plan and Algae mass cultivation broad public benefit of successfully conduct this workshop, which will Control of competitors, grazers, commercializing algal biofuels warrants provide input for development of an and pathogens placing a high priority on the needed Algal Biofuels Roadmap. System design and engineering
research. Particular attention must be Algae for wastewater treatment.
The roadmap will draw upon the paid to the engineering of sustainable expertise of a carefully balanced group of microalgal systems and to the regulatory Production and Integrated invited scientists and other experts in the and environmental landscape. Process Scale Up various required disciplines (e.g., biology, Long term maintenance of desired Next Steps systems and process engineering, strain in culture modeling and analysis, algae cultivation, To identify and prioritize R&D Hydrodynamics of mixing algal oil extraction and conversion, algal- needs along the critical path to Evaluation of local water supply for based co-products, water and land use, algal cultivation commercialization, DOE is holding an policy and regulatory issues, etc.). Input CO2 supply Algal Biofuels Workshop in from workshop participants will help Washington, D.C., in December 2008. Harvesting technology define activities needed to resolve Oil extraction technology uncertainties associated with commercial- Optimization of specific fuel production scale algal biofuel production. Upon processes completion of review and concurrence Analysis of algal biofuels for compliance cycles, the resulting roadmap will be made with ASTM standards. available to the general scientific community in 2009. For updates as this Economic Analysis process unfolds, please watch for news on Detailed process analysis our website: www.biofuels.energy.gov Potential for value-added co-products Resource and siting analysis Environmental and social issues Environmental impact of large-scale algae farms For additional information, please contact: Water usage and process water disposal Regulatory issues, especially cultivation The EERE Information Center Visit our website at of genetically modified algae (877) EERE-INF (337-3463) www.biofuels.energy.gov Public awareness and acceptance www.eere.energy.gov/ informationcenter
A Strong Energy Portfolio for a Strong America
. . Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy independence for America. Working with a wide array of state, community, industry, and university partners, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies.