Microalgae – based biofuel start to develop clean energy market, this source has the potential to meet a significant part of global energy needs, say researchers at Utah State University.
Jeff Moody, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at USU said, quoted by phys.org that microalgae have much higher yields in terms of producing biomass fuel than other traditional fuel materials.
Together with colleagues at the University, Chris McGinty and Jason Quinn Moody published the findings of an evaluation unprecedented global microalgae productivity in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research team was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
" Our goal was not to replicate what we already know, but to make a more complete, accurate and realistic the actual overall efficiency of microalgae biomass and lipids, " says Moody.
Moody watched outdoor microalgae growth widely. Using meteorological data from 4,388 locations worldwide, the team determined the current global potential productivity of microalgae.
Algae, he said, annually producing 2,500 liters of biofuel per hectare. In contrast, soybeans produces about 220 liters and the corn about 81 liters.
"In addition, soy and corn require arable land, which diminishes food production," says Quinn. " Microalgae can be produced in non – arable areas unsuitable for agriculture. "
Researchers estimate that unused land in Brazil, Canada, China and the U.S. could be used to produce biofuel from algae enough to fill more than 30 % of fuel consumption in these countries.
" This is an impressive percentage of energy from renewable sources," said Moody. " Our findings will help to justify investments in technology and infrastructure development to produce biofuel from algae a viable source of fuel. "
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