Fuel
Feedstock
Energy Density
(MJ/kg)
Cost
($/ L)
Greenhouse Gas
CO2(kg/kg)
Environmental and Political Aspects
Current Research
Notes/
Advantages
Disadvantages
Algae - based biofuels
Multiple different fuels made from algae
Can be used to produce any of the fuels above, as well as jet fuel biodiesel ----------------
Depending on the lipid content of the algae, 1 tonne of algae can produce about 100 gallons of oil.
(bionavitas.com)

$7.50 per gallon or $1.98 per liter
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1 acre of algae is 2,000-5,000 gallons of fuel per acre per year. (allaboutalgae.com)
See specific fuels above
1.70 percent to 80 percent of all the oxygen we breathe comes from algae (ecology.com)
2.However, very little research focused on the environmental consequences of large-scale algae production.
3.environmental impacts: energy consumption and chemical use and disposal, it is premature to draw definitive conclusions about these impacts
4.Algae cultivation can require the use of pesticides, fertilizers, water, and fuel. Each of these activities, in turn, can impact air quality, water quality, and water availability
5.smaller environmental footprint than other feedstocks
6.1 tonne of algae will sequester about 1.5 tonnes of CO2..

1.Algae-based biofuel production systems are still being investigated at the pilot stage using smaller-scale prototype research facilities.
2.Commercial processes for large-scale algae production and algal oil collection are currently being developed as another plant oil source for biodiesel

1. More expensive, but may yield 10-100X more fuel per unit area than other biofuels
2. high oil content, ability to recycle waste streams from other processes, and minimal land requirements
3.Algae production demands less land area per gallon of fuel produced than other feedstocks
4. Algae’s lack of dependence on fertile soil and rainfall essentially eliminates competition among food, feed, and energy production facilities for land resources
5. Algae grown in conjunction with animal and human wastewater treatment facilities can reduce both freshwater demands and fertilizer inputs, and may even generate revenue by reducing wastewater treatment costs 6.biodiversity impacts: small because algae typically require less land, fertilizer, and pesticide than do other feedstocks, and because algae production plants may be co-located with wastewater treatment plants.
7.Production facilities for algae that need sunlight to grow could be located in arid regions with ample sunlight
8. closed and open systems: closed system less chance of algae getting out of the facility, can be blown and carried by winds in open facilities
POSITIVE:Non-invasive algae grown with
wastewater