New microalgae sites could boost Australian biofuels production

A number of sites across the mid-west of Western Australia and Pilbara areas have been identified as capable of producing large quantities of commercial biofuel from microalgae.

University of Western Australia’s assistant professor Bryan Boruff studied over 2,000km of coastline and 170km inland areas on behalf of the university’s School of Earth and Environment.

‘Algal biofuels have the potential to play an important part of a clean energy future and commercial success depends on economically viable, large-scale production, which is why this study is so important,’ Boruff was quoted as saying.

The Western Australian region is already home to a large commercial microalgae production plant, but Boruff states that more research and development will be needed to find the most efficient ways to extract and convert new sources of algae biomass into renewable energy.