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The economics of producing biodiesel from algae

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  • Gallagher, Brian J.

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for conventional diesel that is made from natural plant oils, animal fats, and waste cooking oils. This paper discusses the economics of producing biodiesel fuel from algae grown in open ponds. There is potential for large-scale production of biodiesel from algal farms on non-arable land; however, previous studies have failed to demonstrate an economically viable process that could be scalable to a commercialized industry. The problems include inconsistent and insufficient algal productivities, uncertain capital and operating costs, volatile market prices and unknown levels of government support. Although intensive work is being done on many technological issues, the economic studies and data are incomplete and out of date. This paper presents an updated financial analysis of the production and economic conditions that could have a profound effect on the success of this important alternative fuel production process.

Suggested Citation

  • Gallagher, Brian J., 2011. "The economics of producing biodiesel from algae," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 158-162.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:36:y:2011:i:1:p:158-162
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.06.016
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    Cited by:

    1. Ziolkowska, Jadwiga R. & Simon, Leo, 2014. "Recent developments and prospects for algae-based fuels in the US," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 847-853.
    2. Ali, Mehmood & Watson, Ian A., 2015. "Microwave treatment of wet algal paste for enhanced solvent extraction of lipids for biodiesel production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 470-477.
    3. Teo, Chee Loong & Jamaluddin, Haryati & Zain, Nur Azimah Mohd & Idris, Ani, 2014. "Biodiesel production via lipase catalysed transesterification of microalgae lipids from Tetraselmis sp," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-5.
    4. Ali, Mehmood & Sultana, Razia & Tahir, Sadia & Watson, Ian A. & Saleem, Muhammad, 2017. "Prospects of microalgal biodiesel production in Pakistan – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1588-1596.
    5. Gambelli, Danilo & Alberti, Francesca & Solfanelli, Francesco & Vairo, Daniela & Zanoli, Raffaele, 2017. "Third generation algae biofuels in Italy by 2030: A scenario analysis using Bayesian networks," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 165-178.
    6. Giakoumis, Evangelos G., 2013. "A statistical investigation of biodiesel physical and chemical properties, and their correlation with the degree of unsaturation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 858-878.
    7. Amanor-Boadu, Vincent & Pfromm, Peter H. & Nelson, Richard, 2014. "Economic feasibility of algal biodiesel under alternative public policies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 136-142.
    8. Cuevas-Castillo, Gabriela A. & Navarro-Pineda, Freddy S. & Baz Rodríguez, Sergio A. & Sacramento Rivero, Julio C., 2020. "Advances on the processing of microalgal biomass for energy-driven biorefineries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    9. Thomassen, Gwenny & Van Dael, Miet & Lemmens, Bert & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "A review of the sustainability of algal-based biorefineries: Towards an integrated assessment framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 876-887.
    10. Galadima, Ahmad & Muraza, Oki, 2014. "Biodiesel production from algae by using heterogeneous catalysts: A critical review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 72-83.
    11. Ramos Tercero, Elia Armandina & Domenicali, Giacomo & Bertucco, Alberto, 2014. "Autotrophic production of biodiesel from microalgae: An updated process and economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 807-815.
    12. Chen, Jiaxin & Li, Ji & Dong, Wenyi & Zhang, Xiaolei & Tyagi, Rajeshwar D. & Drogui, Patrick & Surampalli, Rao Y., 2018. "The potential of microalgae in biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 336-346.
    13. Violeta Makareviciene & Egle Sendzikiene, 2022. "Application of Microalgae Biomass for Biodiesel Fuel Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-33, June.
    14. Saba, Beenish & Christy, Ann D. & Yu, Zhongtang & Co, Anne C., 2017. "Sustainable power generation from bacterio-algal microbial fuel cells (MFCs): An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 75-84.
    15. Nida Khan & Kumarasamy Sudhakar & Rizalman Mamat, 2021. "Role of Biofuels in Energy Transition, Green Economy and Carbon Neutrality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-30, November.
    16. Goldfarb, Jillian L. & Kriner, Douglas L., 2021. "U.S. public support for biofuels tax credits: Cost frames, local fuel prices, and the moderating influence of partisanship," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    17. Bahadar, Ali & Bilal Khan, M., 2013. "Progress in energy from microalgae: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 128-148.
    18. Ruth Chinyere Anyanwu & Cristina Rodriguez & Andy Durrant & Abdul Ghani Olabi, 2022. "Evaluation of Growth Rate and Biomass Productivity of Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris under Different LED Wavelengths and Photoperiods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, May.
    19. Aziz, Muhammad & Oda, Takuya & Kashiwagi, Takao, 2013. "Enhanced high energy efficient steam drying of algae," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 163-170.
    20. Sun, Jun & Xiong, Xiaoqian & Wang, Mudan & Du, Hua & Li, Jintao & Zhou, Dandan & Zuo, Jian, 2019. "Microalgae biodiesel production in China: A preliminary economic analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 296-306.

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