Algal biofuel potential discussed

2010-02-23
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Researchers are looking to produce fuel from algae in a bid to provide the world with new and cleaner energy.

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Researchers are looking to produce fuel from algae in a bid to provide the world with new and cleaner energy.

They believe that algae-based biofuels can be used instead of diesel and jet transportation fuels, further reducing the world's dependency on imported oil.

At the same time, the move will contribute towards rural economic development and minimising greenhouse emissions, the experts said.

During the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego on February 19, Sandia researcher Ron Pate outlined the progress of research and development on algal biofuels. He also spoke of associated opportunities and challenges of the new fuel.

The US Department of Energy's Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is providing about £116 million ($180 million) funds for algae biofuels research and development during this financial year.

Researchers are turning to algae to produce biofuels as it reproduces quickly and uses large quantities of carbon dioxide as well as grows in non-freshwater, including brackish and marine water.

Additionally, algae, which can produce biomass and oils, is an attractive feedstock for renewable fuels as it has potential to generate large amount of fuel using significantly lesser land compared with other commodity crop feedstocks.

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