Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas and Energy Analyses of Algae Biofuels Production - Fact Sheet

Publication Number:    CEC-500-2011-FS-027

Abstract:
Algae biofuels directly address the Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Transportation Research Area objective of increasing alternative fuel use in California through sources that both reduce oil dependency and reduce climate change. While algae fuels will minimize land use impacts, a high-profile study recently argued that current methods of algae production could make algae fuels more carbon‐intensive than conventional biofuels. Critics of this study argue that alternative algae processes and energy recovery from waste streams could more than compensate for these inputs. In particular, the efficient use of residual algae biomass and efficient harvesting techniques must be incorporated effectively into the overall process to improve sustainability. The uncertainty looming over the sustainability of algae biofuels suggests that the life‐cycle performance of these fuels is a critical knowledge gap.

Author(s):  David Effross

Commission Division:    Technology Systems Division - R&D, PIER (500)

Office/Program:    PIER: Public Interest Energy Research

PIER Program Area:    Transportation Research

Date Published:    September 2011

Date On Line:    09/30/2011

Acrobat PDF File Size: 2 pages, 156 kilobytes