These slides use concepts from my (Jeff Funk) course entitled analyzing hi-tech opportunities to examine the increasing economic feasibility of algae biofuels. Algae can be grown in places where traditional crops cannot be grown and it consumes carbon dioxide, thus making it better than traditional sources of biofuels. It can also be harvested every 10 days thus making its oil yield per acre 200 times higher than corn and 40 times higher than sunflowers. The problem is that harvesting and extracting the algae requires large amounts of labor and energy (drying) and the algae may damage surrounding eco-systems. Thus new and better processes along with large scale production are needed to solve these problems. These slides discuss the various approaches (open pond, photo-bioreactor, fermentation), their advantages and disadvantages, their existing and future costs, and other improvements that are driving steadily falling costs. In the short term, algae will continue to be used in niche applications such as cosmetics, food, and fertilizers. In the long run, as the cost reductions continue, algae might become a major source of fuel for transportation and other applications.

1. Algae Biofuel
Fuel of the Future
MT5009 Analyzing High-Tech Opportunities
Presented by
Adrian (A0027118M)
Dominik (A0133486B)
Hari (A0132989M)
Krem (A0132973R)
Sathish (A0133745E)
Varun (A0133475E)
For information on presentations on other technologies, see http://www.slideshare.net/Funk98/presentations

2. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

3. Biofuels – the green alternative
• Derived form biological materials through biomass conversion
• Renewable
• Production requires more effort and resources
• Can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Release CO2 when burning
• Biofuel production consumes it back
• Types:
• Ethanol
• Biodiesel
• Bio gasoline
• Bio butanol
• Methane
• Jet fuel

4. Evolution of Biofuel Production
http://www.responsiblebusiness.eu/display/rebwp7/Technology

5. 1st Generation vs. 2nd Generation
2nd Generation:
• Produced from non-edible crops
grown on non-arable land
• Lignocellulosic biomass or woody
crops, agricultural residues or
organic waste
• Harder to extract the required fuel
• Potential to be net energy positive
1st Generation:
• Produced mainly from agricultural
crops traditionally grown for food
and animal purposes
• Wheat, sugar cane and oily seeds
• Contribute to higher food prices,
carbon stores & land use
• Net energy negative

6. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

7. Algal Basics
• Algae are simple plants that range from microalgae to large
seaweeds, such as giant kelp
• Algae can be grown using brackish-, sea-, and wastewater
unsuitable for cultivating agricultural crops
• Most microalgae grow through photosynthesis by
converting sunlight, CO2, and a few nutrients, including
nitrogen and phosphorous, into biomass
• Other algae can grow in the dark using sugar or starch

8. Why Algae Biofuel?
• Can be grown on marginal lands useless for ordinary crops
• High yield per acre – have a harvesting cycle of 1–10 days
• Can be grown with minimal impact on fresh water resources
• Can be grown using flue gas from power plants as
a CO2 source
• Can convert a much higher fraction of biomass to oil than
conventional crops, e.g. 60% versus 2-3% for soybean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel

9. Comparison of Oil Yields
• Algae yield is multiple times higher than
other biofuel crops

10. Algae Biofuel vs. Other Biofuels
• Algae biofuel production also fares better than others in
greenhouse gas emissions and resources needed for fuel
manufacturing, except energy

11. Biofuel Energy Density Comparison
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
EnergyDensity(MJ/kg)
Biofuels
http://biofuel.org.uk/types-of-biofuels.html
• Algae oil energy density is comparable to currently used
biofuels

12. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

13. Algae Biofuel Production Process

14. Overview of Algae Production
Source: Biofuels from algae: challenges and potential, Michael Hannon et al.
Pyrolysis

15. Algae Oil Production Process
Source: T.J. Lundquist et al: A Realistic Technology and Engineering Assessment of Algae Biofuel Production

16. Algae Species
• Microalgae preferred:
• Highest-yielding algae in the wild – Aquatic unicellular
green algae (Chlorophyceae)
• High growth rates & population densities
• Can double its biomass in < 24 hours
• Harvesting cycle: 1-10 days
• Less complex structure
• Higher oil content
• Produces oil, protein & sugars
• Areas of improvements
• Polycultures
• Genetic engineering:
• Improve traits – tolerant to harsh conditions
& enhanced growth & yield
• Biosafety issue –may facilitate survival and growth of
GE algae in unmanaged ecosystems, detrimental to
natural environment
Microalgal species Oil
content(%)
Ankistrodesmus TR-87 28-40
Botryococcus braunii 29-75
Chlorella sp. 29
Chlorella
protothecoides(autotrophic/ he
terothrophic)
15-55
Cyclotella DI- 35 42
Dunaliella tertiolecta 36-42
Hantzschia DI-160 66
Nannochloris 31(6-63)
Nannochloropsis 46(31-68)
Nitzschia TR-114 28-50
Phaeodactylum tricornutum 31
Scenedesmus TR-84 45
Stichococcus 33(9-59)
Tetraselmis suecica 15-32
Thalassiosira pseudonana (21-31)
Crpthecodinium cohnii 20
Neochloris oleoabundans 35-54
Schiochytrium 50-77
http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/yield/yield.html#sthash.f2Udun8U.dpuf
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10811-010-9644-1

17. Algae Growth Methods

18. Open Pond vs PBR - Cost Comparison
OP = Open pond
PBR -Photobioreactor
Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

19. Dominant Growth Method
• Open pond is likely to become dominant:
• Lower capital investment
• Easy to scale up
• No cleaning required
• Yield improvement because of genetic engineering and polycultures
• Contamination risk can be reduced by genetic engineering and
polycultures
ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/ak333e/ak333e00.pdf

20. Current Oil Extraction Process
http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

21. Future Oil Extraction Process
http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

22. Future Oil Extraction Process
http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

23. Biomass Processing – Cost Improvement
Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

24. Impact of Improvements on Future
Algae Cost
Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

25. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

26. Biofuels vs. Fossil Fuels
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/prices.html

27. Biofuel Production
Source: http://antaresgroupinc.com/algae-biofuels/

28. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

29. Summary of where Improvements Occur
• Improvement in production methods. For example:
• Using flue gas
• Using waste water
• Using genetically engineered algae to increase oil yield
• Improvement in harvesting methods. For example:
• Liquefaction
• Hydrogenation
• Pyrolysis
• Improvement in technology  Conversion of algae to
different form of fuel. For example:
• Bio-ethanol; Bio-methane;
• Bio-hydrogen; Bio-butanol;
• Bio-Diesel; bio-gasoline;
• Jet fuel

30. Timeline for Algal Fuel
Source: Algae 2020 study, Emerging Markets Online Consulting Services

31. Biofuel Demand in Transport Sector by
Region
Major part of this demand is expected to be fulfilled by algae biofuel since
it has high potential in terms of technology and yield.
Source: https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Biofuels_Roadmap_WEB.pdf
ExaJoules (EJ) = 10^18 Joules

32. Global Energy Use in the Transport
Sector in 2050
Global energy use in the transport sector (left) and use of biofuels in
different transport modes (right) in 2050
Source: https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Biofuels_Roadmap_WEB.pdf

33. How Government Policy Affects Biofuel
Use
Source: Battle for the Barrel, Robert F. Service

34. Inhibiting Factors
• Algaculture is performed mainly to produce high added value
compounds used in food and cosmetics
• Biggest inhibiting factors are capital, harvesting and fuel extraction costs
• New methods of energy-efficient extraction of fuel is needed e.g.
hydrolysis
Product Type Unique Product Price/Kg
Healthfood Spirulina ~S$ 12
Food for aquatic organisms Nannochloropsis ~S$ 725
Vitamin A precursor ß-carotene ~S$ 1,450
Anti-oxidant Astaaxanthin ~S$ 15,000
Fatty acids 13C labelled fatty acids ~S$ 51 M
Algal Biofuel ~S$ 9
Source: Energy-efficient extraction of fuel and chemical feedstocks from algae, Rodrigo E. Teixeira
Algae-based Biofuels: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries

35. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

36. Commercial Uses of Algae
Cosmetics
Bioplastics
Feedstock Fertilizer/nutrients
Food
Nutraceuticals
Pharmaceuticals
Vitamins
Animal feed
BioethanolBiogas
Biodiesel Biobutanol
Biofuel

37. http://solazyme.com/innovation/
Algal Products

38. Building Powered by Algae
• Building in Hamburg with a facade of bioreactors
• Bioreactors contain algae which generate biomass and heat sustainably
• System provides thermal and sound insulation
• Algae biomass can be harvested and converted to biogas, or used in
pharmaceutical and food products
http://syndebio.com/biq-algae-house-splitterwerk/
SolarLeaf – bioreactor façade

39. Algae Architecture
http://www.lyxia.com/algal-architecture-and-automobile-design/

40. What Changes might enable Algae
Farming in buildings?
Glass Production Technology
• Ultra-strong glass with thinner walls
• Increased light penetration and larger volumes
• Mechanical stability allows continuous in-line cleaning
Efficient use of Lightings
• Redirect sunlight into building interior
• Use of existing LED lightings at night for continuous algae production
Genetic Modification of Algae
• Significantly higher concentration in terms of mass per litre
• Grow in the dark algae strains created through genetic modification
Policies enabling the use of empty spaces
• External walls, rooftops & walls of stairwells
Cost per kilowatt hour needs to become lower
• Current estimates: cost per kilowatt-hour produced by algae bioreactors would be 7
times as much as solar power and 14 times as much as crude oil

41. Offshore Membrane Enclosures
for Growing Algae (OMEGA)
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/OMEGA/#.VQ1FSPmUc9Q

42. From ALPHA to OMEGA
http://blog.planetos.com/nasa-omega-project-the-ocean-as-a-platform-for-biofuel/

43. Agenda
• Introduction to Biofuels
• Why Algae Biofuel?
• Production Process
• Production Costs
• Rates of Improvement
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Conclusion

44. Conclusion
Algae Biofuel is a very promising candidate to replace fossil fuels
• Algae’s cultivation does not require that it compete with food crops
• Ability for algae to be cultivated on non-arable land, using saltwater,
greatly reduces its impact on the environment
• Produces over 20 times the oil production of any food crop - an acre of
algae can produce almost 5,000 gallons of biodiesel
• Production can reach 60 billion gallons/year that could replace all diesel in
the U.S.
• However, current economic climate makes development of algal programs
quite costly
• For algae to be truly competitive, it should receive its own share of the
subsidies currently only allocated to feedstock
• A highly feasible way to continue biofuel development while remaining
commercially competitive is to produce algal fuel as a co-product to more
lucrative products such as animal feed and nutraceuticals product

45. Thank You!
Any Questions?