why should we use algae as biofuel

In the same manner, we would engineer new bio-reactors, allowing for more efficient production of electricity and heat. Using current farming techniques, it can take roughly 120% more energy to produce a gallon of algae biofuel when compared to the energy it contains. Algae can grow in almost any climate. It is not always an energy efficient product. It grows in both closed-tank bioreactors and open-pond systems. 6. Algae has the capability of doubling in size over a 24-hour period. In addition to producing biofuel, algae can also be explored for a variety of other uses, such as Let’s have a more in-depth look at why this technology is very promising first. 8. If you turned oil palm into a fuel, then you would receive 635 gallons per acre. Although you can harvest some algae strains on a daily basis, that doesn’t mean you’ll receive a biofuel product that you can use immediately. It would also take many years of technology development to reduce the price of harvesting and processing. Algae grows fast. When they reach a bigger size, the excess is ready for harvesting, the pulp ferments in tanks, creating gas that then heats the building. In addition to this, he helps local business owners with digital content strategies to grow online. Although algae does have some benefits with weather tolerance, it does not have the flexibility to grow in places where there is extreme cold. Algae can grow in most parts of the world, however, to be profitable, only certain regions, with adequate weather conditions, can be considered. Some main crops used for biofuel consist of soybeans, switch grass, and corn. Oils and animal fats can be processed into biodiesel. We must note though that palm oil plantations cause significant ecological damage as rainforests are burned down to make space for palm fields, resulting in the loss of animal life. Algae Can Have High Biofuel Yields. When the oil and fuel that are possible through algae production are compared to these other natural resources, then it can offer roughly 80 times more oil per acre than what we can achieve already. The algae biofuel process. Why should we use it? At the time, the US Government created an algae research … 3. Algae-based biofuel has enormous potential when it comes to sustainable fuel sources. Since then, most fossil fuel companies have pursued algae biofuel research ventures, fiddling with production processes to make these sea vegetables a viable alternative energy. There are several steps that must be followed before this natural product can become a usable fuel source. The current goal for this industry, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is to reach this pricing goal by the year 2030. Sapphire Energy. Sugar and starch crops are converted through a fermentation process to form bioalcohols, including ethanol, butanol, and propanol. As with all new ideas, fuel derived from algae comes with both pros and cons. Electricity is provided externally, from the grid, but when power plants in Germany transition to clean fuels, the carbon footprint of that building will be zero. If we want to see it put into practice, we must overcome some difficulties first. If the byproducts of this commercial product could also be sold, then pricing might reach $3.50 to $4 per gallon. For example, a component of harvesting algae is the already scarce and non-renewable element, phosphorus. The pros and cons of algae biodiesel are encouraging because it gives us an outlet for the future using a product that is proven to work. With a little combined effort from the part of governments, investors, and environmental organizations, fossil fuels, commonly used across the globe, could be replaced with cleaner and more sustainable biofuels. It can even grow in spaces that would be inefficient for other forms of agriculture. At the same time, we see plummeting crude oil costs, due to international conflicts, and OPEC countries increasing their production to make more money. It requires significant fertilizer use. That is why this biofuel uses much more water than other resources using current technologies. 3. Algae biofuels, a form of renewable energy that converts sea-growing algae into liquid fuel, have been intensely studied since the oil crisis of the 1970s. Investments into the technology would have to be significant, with the returns being unknown. This transformation uses a catalyst to create a fuel and glycerol mixture that can then be refined to remove the glycerol. Algae is one of the most efficient sources for creating biofuels, … You could grow lemons in Alaska, but it would need to happen inside. Even if we consume high levels of it, then neutrality of its existence means we would cut emissions based on what they are today. Algae absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, which means that whatever CO2 is released will just be absorbed right back. Algae store energy in the form of oils and carbohydrates, which, … Algae is a crop that we can cultivate with great ease and almost anywhere, outdoor and indoor. However, with the numerous advantages come also challenges that shouldn’t be ignored. These are all positive elements to consider when looking at algae biofuel resources. Why algae to biofuel? This is about Biofuels and Algae fuels. We already create several biofuels from other natural products, such as sugarcane, corn, and switchgrass. Single-celled microalgae can … It would require up to 15 million metric tons of nitrogen to create enough algae to create 39 billion liters of biodiesel through this effort, along with 2 million metric tons of phosphorus, which represents roughly half of what is already in use on American croplands today. Reclaimed land could be, in turn, used for food production, a subject becoming important with humanity said to reach 8 billion in just five years. We can even look at restoring cash crops to food resources (such as corn) to avoid the ethical question of using croplands for fuel instead of hunger. The algae grows with enough abundance that the refinery processes could be immediately profitable as well if commercial growing methods became available. Based in California, this company is working on algae based biofuels using only CO2 (carbon dioxide) and sunlight. We would end up with a result were our net consumption be the same as if we had never grown the algae in the first place. The production of algae-based fuel is still a relatively new technology. 7. Algae are tiny biological factories that use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy so efficiently that they can double their weight several times a … 3. You can receive notification of our new posts by subscribing in our blog. https://futureofworking.com/7-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-algae-biofuel For the production of a combustible fuel we need dry powder, and with the current approach to powering the process, it takes more energy than the produced fuel would provide. And they can be used for much more than just cars, trains or planes. When you produce biofuels like biodiesel from algae, then it takes the energy equivalent of several gallons’ worth of a petroleum-based fuel to produce a single gallon of the eco-friendly variety. The oil press is one of the fastest and easiest methods, extracting up to 75% of the oil from the algae. However, this initial idea is now changing as a new research surfaced, including a study by scientists from the University of Michigan. In the next 10 years, we may find that biodiesel products made from algae are dominating at the pump, helping us to create a cleaner world with every mile we drive. The Department of Energy reports that algae have the potential to yield at least 30 times more energy than land-based crops currently used to produce biofuels. It offers a high production cost using current technologies. The other biofuel resources are further away from being carbon neutral in most circumstances too, while there is also the advantage that algae are not part of the regular human food chain. We don’t need to worry about clearing forest space or converting croplands to create this fuel resource. But using algae as a biofuel isn't quite as simple as skimming the green stuff from the surface of a pond and pumping it into our gas tanks. The product can be refined in a similar way to petroleum products, which means it becomes useful in our current structures. They were able to determine that a diverse mix of various species would help to improve the stability and the yield of crops. Estimates back then suggested that the price of this resource could eventually come down to $5.50 per gallon. Unlike the other fuels that we use today that are based on fossilized products, algae is a product which is completely renewable. (Animated), Why Should We Save Clean Water for Tomorrow (Infographic), 13 Simple Tricks to Make Your Small Garden Look Bigger, 12 Sustainable and Energy Efficient Building Materials, How to Create Your Perfect Feng Shui Kitchen, 9 Awesome Kitchen Island Ideas for Small Spaces, Climate Emissions Shrinking the Stratosphere, How to Make Your Office More Eco-Friendly, Renewable Energy Market Trends: 2022 and Beyond, How to Get a Good Night Sleep When Stressed, Green Kitchen Countertop Alternatives You Can Consider. Biofuel experts have long sought a more economically viable way to turn algae into biocrude oil to power vehicles, ships and even jets. 2. In order to turn Biofuels including algal types aren’t perfect, but investing in them is important as they can help us decrease the amount of our carbon footprint while scientists develop new, better, and more sustainable solutions. Algae-based fuel as eco-friendlier alternative The main advantage of biofuel is carbon-neutrality, the much-desired balance between carbon emissions and carbon removal. We could potentially have access to more energy resources with this biofuel than we would if we continue to concentrate on petroleum products. 5. They have developed an unusually rapid method to deliver cost-effective algal biocrude in large quantities using a specially-designed jet mixer. There is a danger of creating large-area monocultures, where algae would be the only crop for years. They can double their size within just one day, allowing us to meet even a rapidly developing demand. We can use the hydrocarbons from plant-based materials in the same way that we use them from petroleum-based items. Algae-based fuel is also superior to gas, coal, petrol and diesel because it is easy to cultivate. The energy balance is still not in algal fuel’s favor, unfortunately. There are economic and environmental advantages to consider with this developing industry, while there are disadvantages that we must avoid as well. At this stage, it seems ‘algae biofuel’ has quite a few benefits: It’s carbon neutral as the marine organisms consume carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. Producing biofuels from algae is a concept dating back to the oil shocks of the 1970s. Why algae biofuel is exciting. And while solar, wind, and geothermal energy all seem to be the right way forward, the search for other sustainable solutions is still ongoing. The structure of algae biofuel is beneficial because it absorbs as much carbon as it releases because that is what it uses for food. The unfortunate truth is that they power our cars, trains, and planes; allowing for a free flow of people and goods, thus making our world smaller and our lives better. The production of algal fuel would be expensive at first. Some countries may want to look for ways to lessen their dependence of foreign products. About the algae plant family; It comprises over … Unlike other biofuels, made of corn, sugarcane, liquid animal fats or vegetable oils, or animal manure, it is exceptionally efficient. Why Is Biofuel Seaweed Preferable Environmental Sciences Essay. Just as it is in the case of crude oil refining, production of algae-based fuel would allow for making numerous byproducts, for example, fertilizers, soap and other cleaning products, as well as for feeding animals. It would work with our current system of fuels. It takes time to allow algae to create the biofuels we can use. Solix was able to create biodiesel from algae as early as 2009 using current technologies, but it came at a high price. 4. University of Utah researchers believe they have found an answer. That is why is is essential to review these algae biofuel pros and cons. This natural product uses photosynthesis to create oils that consume carbon dioxide. This flexibility means that is even useful when looking at an alternative for diesel fuels. In the case of algae, they absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, which makes up for emissions of an engine that runs on biofuel. Algae Is Efficient to Create BioFuel. By producing algae biofuel, we are basically depleting non-renewable resources. It is a bio-based fuel which offers a carbon neutral combustion. Scientists see them also replacing coal, diesel or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) at power plants around the world, and used to heat buildings. However, it still has to be field-tested, so there is no definite verdict but certainly a lot of high hopes. For more than five years from around 2005, algae-based biofuel companies, including the likes of Algenol, Sapphire Energy and Solazyme, raised hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector investment on the promise that chemically engineering Although the price of this fuel is still quite expensive, there are several research projects working right now to lower those costs. Scientists have to use various mechanical and chemical methods (or combinations of the two) to extract oil from algae and convert it to fuel that is actually viable. This process does … The shift from fossil to algae-based fuel could be rapid. The oil in the algae is pressed out, filtered, refined, and then converted into fuel. It can grow in numerous locations as well, including in the water supplies that are around power plants or paper factories. It still contends with regional suitability issues. Algae ponds can be built on relatively small parcels of land that are otherwise unsuitable for crops. This discovery could contribute to the development of biofuels, they say. Then you must refine the oil using fatty acid chains using a process called transesterification. University of Utah engineers have already come up with a possible solution that could be a game-changer. That means it would cost more in the long run. It doesn’t have to interfere with other agricultural production as it can be grown even on barren lands with thin soil. A significant advantage of using algae for biofuels is that it need not displace farmland used for growing food sources. Algae cultivation requires large areas of water. You would need to pay about $33 per gallon because of the energy levels required to circulate gasses and materials inside bioreactors to encourage growth. The required material for making biofuel can be grown on a regular basis, hence this fuel is referred to as a source of renewable energy. Governments that would like to see the shift towards sustainability would have to introduce incentives in the form of grants, to make algae-based fuel prices competitive. The main advantage of biofuel is carbon-neutrality, the much-desired balance between carbon emissions and carbon removal. Obtaining fuel from algae… Monocultures often lead to over-cultivation of certain strains of plants which reduces their resistance to diseases. With algae, there would be no such risks. Whether the algae grow in an open pond or a closed bioreactor, it must have a significant water source available for it to maximize growth. Considering that massive amounts of CO2 are a major cause of global warming, growing algae will lessen the negative impact, more so when algae are used as fuel with little to no emissions. First generation biofuels are made from sugar crops (sugarcane, sugarbeet), starch crops (corn, sorghum), oilseed crops (soybean, canola), and animal fats. Algal fuel is not only totally bio-based but also its combustion is 100% carbon neutral. Over time, scientists would most likely be able to overcome this problem with more efficient drying techniques as well as more effective algal lipid bio-reactors and engines. Since some of these nutrients come from petroleum-based products, it shifts the needle on carbon neutrality somewhat. There are several valid reasons to be looking at biofuels today as an alternative to the products that we currently use. 15 Advantages and Disadvantages of the 4 Day School Week, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of Animal Testing in Cosmetics, 500 Cutest Dachshund Names for a Girl or Boy Puppy Dog, Top 500 Golden Retriever Names for a Female or Male Puppy, 301 Great Pyrenees Dog Names for a Female or Male Puppy, 500 Cutest Yorkie Names for a Girl or Boy Puppy Dog, Golden Pyrenees Guide: 26 Facts About the Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever Mix, German Shepherd Great Pyrenees Mix Guide: 27 Things to Know About the Germanees, German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix: 26 Things Every Owner Should Know, Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix Guide: 25 Things to Know About a Chihuahua Shepherd, Alaskan Shepherd Guide: 29 Things Every Owner Should Know, Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix: 26 Things Every Owner Should Know. The CO2 produced by burning the fuel is the same amount of CO2 that the algae took to grow and produce the fuel. It also requires the use of fertilizers – and these are not necessarily good for the environment as they produce large quantities of greenhouse gases and might lead to water poisoning. Algae grow with the constant supply of nutrients, water, and CO2 from the atmosphere. When we want to have more of it, then all we need to do is grow some more. However, our engines don’t necessarily have to run on petrol or diesel. This source is biofuel derived from algae. That would give the industry the necessary time to produce a new generation of engines, able to take 100% algal fuel. We can grow algae in massive quantities only when there is sufficient fertilizer available to the producers. Qantas and United Airlines have both tried using blends of algae biofuel with up to 40% mixtures and have completed successful trials of the product. In some places, algae would have to be cultivated indoors, further increasing costs and the price of the product. 5. 7. According to many scientists, algae-based biofuel has the potential to be at least a stop-gap in the struggle for a better and cleaner world, as we most certainly will not be able to ditch combustion engines in many years to come. Algae are the optimal source for second generation bioethanol due to the fact that they are high in carbohydrates/polysaccharides and thin cellulose walls. At this age, humanity is racing against the clock. Many algae are exceedingly rich in oil, which can be converted to biodiesel. There is also the threat of run-off that could impact local waterways. Biofuel plants will grow better in specific regions than others if you are using outdoor cultivation methods. 6. It is abundantly available even without commercial processing. It can produce numerous byproducts just like petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition to being the most carbon-neutral of all bio-combustibles, algae offer higher energy capacity than any of the potential fuel ingredients above. Solely using algae as a biofuel would not meet the world’s energy demand, but the technology for photobioreactors continues to improve, giving hope to one day use algae more than fossil fuels [6]. It’s the most efficient in terms of crop yield as one acre of an algal farm is able to produce approximately 80 times more oil than, for example, corn or sugarcane. Another source used to create biofuel is algae … That is still the equivalent of crude oil begin $150 per barrel. This biofuel has a low carbon footprint is price competitively and works with current energy infrastructures. With the widespread introduction of this kind of crop, we could gradually withdraw from the production of other types of biofuel. Monoculture issues would impact algae growth as well. Algae offers the potential to generate 10,000 gallons of biodiesel per acre, but only if specific species are used to create it. This ratio is one of the reasons why early adopters of this resource are trying to lower the per-gallon cost as quickly as possible. It is a crop that we can grow with high levels of efficiency. It definitely represents the radical change that we need in our approach to combustibles. That includes being able to make fertilizers, industrial cleaners, soap products, or feed stocks. Because algae use carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, algae biofuel is carbon neutral. In the case of algae, they absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, which makes up for emissions of an engine that runs on biofuel. The production of biofuels from algae is thought to help stabilise the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at the present level rather than reducing it to a more ‘healthy’ level. This means algae companies should choose algae that leave behind harmless, or even beneficial, molecules in the water, in addition to having other desirable traits such as … Estimates claim that to meet just 10% of Europe’s fuel demand, we would have to grow it on fields and in ponds the size of Belgium. Anderson Lake State Park in Washington encounters issues with run-off frequently during the summer months, even though the land around the water is no longer used for cattle grazing. Put simply, lipids in algae oil can be made into biodiesel, while the carbohydrates can be converted to ethanol. Growers would eventually settle on the strains which produce the most oil, thus limiting the diversity that would be available. When you maintain temperatures at the appropriate levels to encourage this outcome, then the liquid begins to evaporate. It seems, however, that with enough research and development from scientists and engineers, the pros will outweigh the cons. It requires large amounts of water to be productive. 5449 why-we-shouldnt-be-using-biofuels Among the various sillinesses that have been proposed to deal with climate change is the idea that we should start sticking corn or wheat into cars rather than people. As this type of fuel has everything that takes to be a breakthrough technology, all that we need at the moment is time to perfect the process and to make it much more cost-efficient. A study published by Water Resources in 2011 found that the most viable strains of algae could create enough biomass through commercial cultivation that they could replace roughly 48% of the petroleum products that the U.S. imports each year. This means that the net CO2 emission is … It would contend with the same issues we see in monoculture. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), How Do Hydrogen-Powered Cars Work? On one end of the spectrum, the average acre of corn produces 18 gallons of ethanol. Some strains are so productive that the oil they produce could be harvested each day. Making the most of scarce resources. Algae-based type is such a promising alternative. It may create variations in the quality of the biofuels reaching the market. However, this technology is still in its infancy. As with all new ideas and technologies, there are also certain limitations and concerns related to the production of green, algae-based fuel. Biofuels are renewable energy sources created using plants like corn or switchgrass that can be grown as annual or perennial crops. Refining palm oil costs only $0,50 per kilo versus $1,80 for its algal counterpart. Other biofuels are less expensive. And if we do not find an alternative to this element in producing such a fuel, the resource may become even more scarce, which can lead to increase in prices. Another advantage would be their resistance to pests and environmental changes. Since the reserves of crude oil, coal, and natural gas are expected to be gone in 60-80 years, this product could be a realistic Plan B. Algae growth around a similar resource would be a significantly greater issue to manage. Using waste and residue as raw materials for biofuels is an … As it was observed many times before, with enough development as well as some goodwill and trust from the world’s governments, it may become mainstream, making our lives much better and more sustainable. Biofuel is the final result of obtaining fuel from certain types of crops. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. That means we have access to a fuel source that is inherently renewable without creating a negative impact on our environment. Ethanol is the most widely used The oil content of some microalgae exceeds 80% of dry weight of algae biomass. It is not hard to see electricity produced there without the need for coal and using ecological replacements for fossil fuels soon. We would end up with a result were our net consumption be the same as if we had never grown the algae in the first place. If a disease strikes the algae and there is no other species, then the advantages of this product would disappear immediately. The outcome could result in problems with pest control, water pollution, or a total loss. As an independent Web Strategist, Chris has been actively promoting sustainable living, green technologies, and self-development for a long time. Biofuel is a fuel that comes from the biomass including plant or algae or animal wastes. Oil prices can fluctuate rapidly, sometimes creating a price for fuel that negatively impacts households around the world. Yet, through further research, a new source has been found and it shows a great deal of promise. As long as there is enough sunlight available, then it will have the capability to grow. Engines that run on it emit no additional carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, CO2 absorbed from the air during the growth of algae equals total emission. 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