Algae biofuel can have a four times higher carbon footprint than diesel fuels
12 August 2010 | Alternative Energy | No Comments
The idea of growing algae to produce biofuels seems to be a very good idea, but could this “green” fuel save our planet from harmful emissions? Until now I was very sure that algae could reduce global emissions, but it seems that I was partially wrong. The “Energy and Fuels” journal recently published a study saying that algae growth can have a four times higher carbon footprint than other fossil fuels. This is not a strict rule, but it all depends on how you grow your algae.
Researcher Anna Stephenson from University of Cambridge Explained that algae grown in those transparent tubes like in this picture (in air-lift bioreactors) uses much more energy than it should. Moving around Pumping algae inside these tubes in order to give them enough sunlight, result in a carbon footprint of 320 grams, actually four times higher than 86 grams (petro-diesel carbon footprint).
Another reasonable method for growing algae without using energy would be in ponds. But, according to many researchers, growing algae in ponds may not be so effective because there, the water tends to evaporate. So, giving them more water we are wasting our precious water resources. These days water is an essential element in our life so we can’t use it without a good reason.
So, we have two different methods to grow algae and both of them have advantages and disadvantages. I think the best solution in this situation is to follow a “middle way”. For now, we could produce efficient biofuels using both methods, but in the end we should choose the most effective one.
Tags: algae biofuel, algae carbon footprint, algae growth, algae ponds, biofuel carbon footprint, biofuel emission, efficient biofuel