Net energy analysis of the production of biodiesel and biogas from the microalgae: Haematococcus pluvialis and Nannochloropsis

Energy production from microalgae biomass: carbon footprint and energy balance

“…The change of this parameter would cause a reduction between 60-80% on electricity consumption in this step. The photobioreactors would have a difference even greater, since the case study considered a consumption of 1.94 kWh to produce 1 kg of microalgae in flat plate photobioreactors, whereas most authors ranged these values from 0.3 to 0.94 kWh, again with the exception of Stephenson et al (2010) and Razon and Tan (2011). These differences represent a potential reduction from 52 to 85% on electricity consumption, which had the biggest contribution in the NER and GHG emissions.…”

“…For example, the consumption of electricity to produce 1 kg of microalgae biomass for open ponds of the case study was 1.05 kWh while, despite the use of different species of microalgae, most authors ranged from 0.19 to 0.42 kWh, with the exception of Stephenson et al (2010) and Razon and Tan (2011). The change of this parameter would cause a reduction between 60-80% on electricity consumption in this step.…”

“…Some studies found positive and negative results, depending on the technological scenario modeled. Lardon et al (2009) Biodiesel production from microalgae X Clarens et al (2010) Biomass production from microalgae X Liu et al (2009) Methanol production from microalgae X Scott et al (2010) Biodiesel production from microalgae X Jorquera et al (2010) Biomass production using different methods X X Liu et al (2011) Biodiesel produced from six microalgae (raceway) models X X Razon and Tan (2011) Biodiesel and methane produced from microalgae X São Paulo -Brazil -May 22 nd to 24 th -2013 Clarens et al (2011) compared different routes of energy production from microalgae biomass such as: biogas electricity and biodiesel, direct biomass combustion for electricity and biodiesel, and biomass combustion for electricity only. All of the products from each route were intended for transportation.…”

Homologous recombination in Nannochloropsis : A powerful tool in an industrially relevant alga

“…Several Nannochloropsis species have received attention more recently as oil-rich organisms with promise as a source of algal biofuels (6)(7)(8)(9). Nonetheless, relatively little is known about the biology of this algal species, including the genes and enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis.…”

“…(strain W2J3B) should stimulate efforts to find additional algae with this capacity, and the development of tools, such as TAL effector nuclease (TALEN) technology (12,13), that can achieve similar end points. Intense efforts are underway to improve the production of desirable oils and lipids in algae (6)(7)(8)(9) and to develop economically viable facilities for large-scale algal production. Initial use of "omics" technologies already has resulted in laboratory breakthroughs, such as enhanced production of algal lipids without the need to impose nitrogen starvation on algal cultures (14).…”