Biofuel

Feedstocks for biodiesel have traditionally centered around oil producing biomass plants like soybeans, canola and palm. But using algae as a feedstock for biodiesel is emerging as a promising source primarily because yields of oil are much higher using algae and the algae can be grown in places other than farmlands minimizing damage to the environment and interrupting the food chain.

Research into algae as a source of oil is not new, however the continuing oil crisis and concerns for global warming are fueling the search for other less traditional means of producing energy sources.

Like plants, algae use photosythesis and store energy similarly to plants. While most algae can be grown just about any place growing the specific strains of algae best suited to biodiesel production is a bit more difficult. In research so far, those species best suited to biodiesel production don’t reproduce the fastest. And that leaves room for other algae species to invade the area, take over and lock out the biodiesel oil producing algae.

Using algae for biodiesel production has another good factor…there is little or no waste. The flakes remaining from production can be used to make ethanol, animal feed or made into high grade fertilizers.

Research continues into algae based biodiesel. While no large scale production biodiesel from algae has been completed it does appear feasible and may well be one of the solutions to the worlds energy challenges.