Algal Biofuel: The Future?
Do you think we, humans, are better off now than we were, 40 years ago? Certainly, technology and innovation have made our work, therefore our lives, easier, but while we enjoy this progress, we become blind to the destruction of what made this possible, Mother Earth.
As of 2014, there are over 1.2 billion motor vehicles on our roads (Voelcker, 2014), and with each functioning car comes CO2 emissions that harm the atmosphere, coupled with the rapid consumption of irreplaceable fossil fuels. This has led scientists to search for alternative sources of energy. One possible type of a sustainable and renewable source of energy that scientists continue to study is algae. But you may ask, why algae?
Algae are polyphyletic aquatic organisms that are capable of conducting photosynthesis (Vidyasagar, 2016), making it an environment-friendly alternative, as the emissions for when the algal oils are converted to useable fuel, are cancelled out by the CO2 the algae absorbed during its developmental stage. In addition, of course, algal biofuel produces almost negligible levels of greenhouse gases as well as other pollutants when compared with the fossil energy sources they replace. Furthermore, algae such as the Kappaphycus alvarezii, are known to grow quite fast (Trono, 1992), promising us great sustainability, as well as efficiency, in terms of overall production. In terms of potential as commercial fuel, algal biofuel is quite competent among other alternatives. Certain types of algae can yield oil of up to over 50 percent of its total dried biomass (Abishek, 2014). These characteristics of sustainability and oil content tick the basic requirements for a suitable source of renewable fuel energy.
Ultimately, algal biofuel is considered to be the future of the oil industry. However, currently, algal biofuel is not being sold in the market as the top fuel, and most of them are still being studied for commercial production. At present, with our technology, unfortunately, large-scale production of algal biofuel is still inefficient, although, with research and science, biofuels can become one of our greatest investments ever. As Homer Simpson once said, “Oh, used grease is worth money eh? Then my arteries are filled with yellow gold!”
References:
Abishek, M., Patel, J., Rajan, A., (2014). Algae Oil: A Sustainable Renewable Fuel of Future. Biotechnology Research International, vol. 2014, Article ID 272814, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/272814
Trono, G. (1992). Eucheuma and Kappaphycus: Taxonomy and Cultivation. Bulletin of Marine Science and Fisheries, Kochi University 12: 51–65
Vidyasagar, A. (2016). What are Algae? Live Science — Planet Earth. Retrieved March 1, 2018 from www.livescience.com
Voelcker, J. (2014). 1.2 Billion Vehicles On World’s Roads Now, 2 Billion By 2035: Report. Green Car Reports. Retrieved March 1, 2018 from www.greencarreports.com
