EU study: Algal biofuels fail to fulfil expectations

Algal biofuel production is not living up to expectations, hindered by high key resource demand, technical difficulties, and high costs, a new study finds.

According to a review by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), despite high expectations and extensive research and investment, technological options are still in developing stages and key resources for algal growth are still too onerous for economically viable production of algal biofuels.

No large-scale, commercial algae-to-biofuels facilities have been implemented up until the end of 2015.

The main barriers to large-scale deployment of both macro- and micro-algae include high demands of key resources for algal growth (such as nutrients, water, and CO₂), difficulty in maintaining selected species with high productivity content in outdoor culture, as well as high energy requirements and costs of algal production and conversion into biofuels.

Additionally, it is difficult to find land with suitable characteristics for algae growth and there are technical challenges of scaling up lab/pilot projects and cost effectiveness.

Hence, the present technology to convert algae into biofuels is in an undeveloped state.

The review presents the current status of technology options for the potential exploitation of algae as feedstocks for the production of biofuels.

JRC scientists analysed the main assumptions, modelling approaches and results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of algal biofuels pathways currently available, focusing on the key parameters affecting the energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions balances.

The results from the analysis may offer a valuable contribution to identify research priorities, opportunities, and limitations to their overall effectiveness and potential environmental risks.

Additionally, the techno-economic challenges and environmental impacts of algae-to-fuel strategies need to be properly assessed before implementing systems integration strategies leading to the deployment of the algal biofuels industry.

Given the EU cap of 7% on the final consumption of biofuels produced from agricultural crops, there is increased interest in advanced biofuels produced from non-food materials, including algae.

Because of its potential advantages compared to land-based agricultural crops, algae have received closer attention in the last decade as a source of advanced biofuels.