Micro-algal Technology for Sustainable Energy Production: State of the Art

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel currently derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. One of the limiting factors for the growth of the biodiesel market is the availability and price of feedstock. Feedstock for biodiesel has to compete with the food crops for land and water. Hence, alternative feedstock’s that are not also food crops need to be found. One such renewable energy sources are microalgae. Microalgae are capable of fixing CO2 using sunlight to produce biofuel and other chemical compounds with numerous additional technological advantages. This present study highlights the concept of algal biofuel production using open raceway ponds and a closed photo bioreactor. This article addresses its current status and future prospects of biodiesel production from micro-algae.