2009 · 20 citations · 8 references
Life SciencesBioengineeringBiotechnologyBiochemical EngineeringBioprocess EngineeringMarine BiotechnologyAlgal BiotechnologyAlgal CultivationBioenergy SystemsBiofuel ProductionBiomass ConversionRenewable FeedstocksAlgal Biofuel ProductionAlgal Biomass ConversionAlgal Biomass ProductionAlgal Cultivation SystemsBiofuelsEnergy CropsMicroalgal BiofuelsMicroalgal Cultivation
Microalgae produce higher biomass and oil yields than traditional energy crops, and they can be cultivated on marginal land or in seawater. Additional benefits can be achieved from co0production of food, feed and high0value chemicals as well as from environmental services, such as bio0fixation of CO 2 and wastewater treatment. However, biotechnical, environmental, and economic challenges need to be overcome before large0scale production of algal0based biofuels becomes economically feasible. Major bottlenecks are high cultivation and harvesting costs, unfavourable energy balances, and the demand of nutrients. Long0term R&D in biotechnology is needed to develop systems for the production of sustainable algal0based biofuels. Moreover, the availability of land and nutrients for
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