| John Benemann, Who Wrote the Book on Algal Biodiesel, Says Algal Fuel is Fantasy | |
| The following is a guest post by John Benemann. John has many years of expertise in biomass conversion, and previously co-wrote a guest piece on cellulosic ethanol. On the subject of biodiesel from algae, he literally wrote the book. here is a guest post from a man who knows as much about this subject as anyone else in the world. And he bears bad news for those who had visions of driving around in algae-fueled transportation. Some interesting points: 1. The use of closed photobioreactors (>$100 /m2) for such applications is totally absurd; 2. Open ponds, at <$10/m2 can be as productive as closed photobioreactors; 3. Microalgae biofuels generally, and algae biodiesel production specifically, is still a long-term R&D goal (likely about 10 years), that will require at least as much funding as the ASP, if not more, and success is, as for any R&D effort, rather uncertain; 4. Some near term applications can be considered, in wastewater treatment specifically; 5. There are now scores of venture-financed companies & research groups claiming that they have, can, may and/or will produce algae biodiesel, at low cost, high productivity. None are based on data, experience, reality or even a correct reading of the literature; 6. Even if R&D proves successful and we can actually produce algae biofuels (maybe even biodiesel) economically (whatever the economics may be a decade or so from now), even then, I am sorry to say that due to resource (land, water, etc.) limitations, algae will not replace all our (or their) oil wells... Read the full article |
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