Will Algae Provide A Cleaner Source Of Energy?

Companies such as Algae Fuel are developing new systems to produce energy from algae. Their technology consists of large man made ponds which cultivate algae using waste water from sewage treatment plants. The company claim that it can produce 10,000 gallons/acre of oil, compared with rapeseed which produces 127 gallons/acre. Algae also grows a lot faster than land crops. In the USA there are a growing number of algae fuel producers.

There is a longer process of getting the algae into useable fuel, compared with many other crops such as rapeseed though. These processes require more energy input.

Once the algae has grown it can be turned into biofuels for use in cars, or power stations. The algae absorb CO₂ while growing, but this is released back into the atmosphere when they are burnt. In comparison with wind of solar energy then, algae fuel is clearly not the best environmental option. But when compared with burning fossil fuels, which produce far more CO₂ on the whole, algae could be a better option.

Using Existing Power Plants to Grow Algae 

As Algae require large amounts of CO₂ for growth, it is suggested algae farms will be installed near existing power stations. The waste CO₂ from smoke stacks can be pumped into ponds to create more energy. This certainly seems like a good way of reducing the current emissions from power plants and factories. As the power station owners can make some money out of their waste, it seems it could be an attractive option for them.

The growth of algae will also mean local communities can create their own fuels. Where as drilling for oil requires a wealthy company to provide machinery and transport, all you need to make algae is a pond and some CO₂.

There is some interesting research by William Oswald on growth of algae from as far back as 1951. There is a lot of research in this area at the moment, it looks to be an exciting fuel of the future.

Published - Tue 27th Oct 2009 12:54:48