Algae biofuels

Biofuels represent today a global commodity, with 110 billion liters produced in 2012, covering approximately 3% of world's transport fuel demand (on an energy equivalent base): IEA estimates that the world biofuels production will reach 2.36 mb/day (135 billion liters/year) in 2018, equal to 4% road transport fuel demand, an increase of 0.48 mb/day compared to 2012. In parallel to increased production, thanks to advanced biofuel technology development and commercialization, further optimization and process integration of conventional technologies will promote the use of unconventional feedstock. Among these, algae are expected to play a major role in the medium-to-long-term scenario, especially in the biorefinery configuration. Algae, in fact, offer a very attractive opportunity for sustainable biofuels and biochemicals/food/feed production, given their high productivity per unit land and their unique biochemical characteristics. On the other hand, the development of commercially viable algae production routes still represents a major challenge, either from a strictly technical or from an economic viewpoint. This article briefly examines the basic issues in algae cultivation and conversion to biofuel: first, the peculiar characteristics of this unconventional biomass feedstock are described, and then cultivation techniques are shown, focusing on microalgae. Market opportunities for algae products are also addressed and fundamental economic considerations are developed.