Algae: Advanced Biofuels and Other Opportunities

Abstract Despite the challenges, depending on the local conditions and practices, renewable energy sources are already a significant contribution to the energy mix. Although this is true for electricity generation, the same does not apply for the transportation sector, where the available renewable sources are limited and still have a modest impact in the overall consumption. In this context, advanced biofuels such as microalgae are worldwide believed to be a better choice for achieving the goals of incorporating non-food-based biofuels into the biofuel market and overcoming landuse issues. Compared to other biofuel technologies, the most favorable factors for the cultivation of microalgae for the production of biofuels are they can be grown in brackish water and on non-fertile land, and the oil yield production is far superior. Main challenges are currently the feasibility of large-scale commercialization, since the majority of economic and financial analyses rely on pilot-scale projects. Environmental issues are most likely to diverge opinions from experts. This chapter presents a review of microalgae cultivation (species, usage, processes, and culture) and biofuel production, highlighting advantages and challenges of algae biofuel. Algae: Advanced Biofuels and Other Opportunities