Issue 11, 2023

Algae as a source of renewable energy: opportunities, challenges, and recent developments

Abstract

Sustainable production of renewable biofuels is being examined globally. First- and second-generation biofuels are not able to meet the demand. Third-generation biofuels use microalgae as the fuel feedstock and can, at least in principle, meet global demand. Microalgae can also become a carbon sink to minimize or even reverse fossil-carbon emissions. Despite their benefits, microalgae-to-fuel technologies have been stalled due to three barriers: the relatively low solar-energy-conversion efficiency of photosynthesis, substantial energy inputs for process operation, and the costs of harvesting and down-stream processing of microalgae biomass. Here, we describe the unique advantages that microalgae present based on their superior biochemical composition as fuel precursors, compared to first- and second-generation feedstocks. We review recent advancements in microalgal cultivation, harvesting, biofuel quality, and metabolic engineering. We also review non-fuel products that are promising for improving the economics of microalga cultivation via a biorefinery strategy. Taken together, these advancements lead to updated economic and environmental considerations that improve prospects for microalgal commercialization. In any case, moving microalgal-based biofuels and by-products to a large scale will require continued research and development to lower the cost of the produced feedstock and to ensure that algal biomass is acceptable for human consumption.

Graphical abstract: Algae as a source of renewable energy: opportunities, challenges, and recent developments

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 Nov 2022
Accepted
05 Apr 2023
First published
11 May 2023

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2023,7, 2515-2544

Algae as a source of renewable energy: opportunities, challenges, and recent developments

J. Hussain and B. E. Rittmann, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2023, 7, 2515 DOI: 10.1039/D2SE01599D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements