Algae have come onto the world stage as one of the most exciting sustainable sources of biomass and oils for fuel, food, feed, and a wide variety of other useful products. Thanks to their long evolutionary past, algae can produce and store energy in the form of oil more efficiently than any other known process, either natural or engineered. An important part of their sustainability equation is that they can grow almost anywhere, even in environments we consider toxic.
Non-Competition
Compared even to annual food crops, algae have a very rapid harvest cycle, ranging from 1-10 days, and produce hundreds of times more oil per productive area than other oil-producing crops such as palms and soybeans. Since algae can be grown almost anywhere, such as in very arid climates and land with excessively saline soil (natural or from human activity). This means that algae can produce significant harvests without competing for land suitable for traditional agricultural crops.
Biofuel and More
Aside from eliminating competition for agricultural land, algae can eliminate the need to direct human and livestock food crops such as corn and palm oil to the production of biodiesel. This increases the supply of these traditional crops and reduces their cost. In the immediate future, this means that significant amounts of algae can be directed toward biofuel production without impacting the food industry. Additionally, much of the waste produced during oil extraction processes can be used as supplemental feed for livestock, further reducing the pressure on common human foods like corn and grains. Considering all sides of this equation, improved availability and cost-savings for human food may effectively counterbalance higher costs in production processes for biofuels as they currently stand.
Environmental benefits
Environmental benefits seem like the cherry on top of a nearly ideal resource for food and fuel to support increasing global needs, and yet they are anything but insignificant. Nutrient-rich wastewater, such as agricultural runoff and certain other stormwater sources, can supply most of the needs for algae to flourish. Diversion of wastewater for the purpose of algae production, not only would prevent contaminated water from mixing with surface water that supplies our drinking water but would significantly reduce damage to vulnerable natural ecosystems and could even eliminate toxic blooms of cyanobacteria in our rivers and lakes.
Carbon sequestration is a big topic in global concerns about human-induced climate change. Even here, algae can make a substantial contribution. Many algae used in biodiesel production can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it as a form of energy for itself. They are increasingly used in the treatment of flue gases and as part of a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Uses
Aside from biofuel, algae are used in a dizzying array of products, from pharmaceuticals and foodstuff to cosmetics and nutritional supplements including omega-3 fatty acids. Algae is also an important source of raw materials for chemical feedstock, fertilizer, and natural food colorants and dyes. Even more exciting, algae-derived bioplastics are biodegradable and yet have identical properties and characteristics as petroleum-based plastics.
Continuing Development
Research into developing algae’s potential has focused on production using either photobioreactors or several types of open ponds. Both methods have significant advantages, balanced by specific challenges, but research continues to develop new options and improve existing technologies.
