Can Algae Power Your Car?

In an increasingly interconnected world, a reliable source of fuel is critical to power the networks of electronics and vehicles that support life. Although alternatives exist, the world still largely relies on nonrenewable sources such as oil to fulfill this necessity. The use of renewable energy sources is becoming more important than ever due to the potential dwindling of oil reserves, instability in oil-producing states, and the effects of climate change. Biofuels, or fuels made from organisms like plants or their waste, have become more prominent in recent years thanks to expanded research. Algae, a type of small aquatic plant that stores energy in the form of natural oils, has become one of the most promising sources of this fuel with the potential to replace oil. 

In order to turn algae into biofuel, it must first be grown in long, narrow, and curved pools known as raceways, which allow for increased water flow. A process known as flocculation is used to clump algae particles into bigger particles by adding chemicals into the water. These algae clumps are collected by filtering them out of the water, floating them to the surface with air bubbles, or waiting for them to float to the bottom using gravity. Next, any remaining water in the algae clumps is removed to improve the efficiency of processing, either by using external heat, or more commonly, using devices for separation. The algae’s natural oils are extracted by feeding the dry algae through a mechanical press, or by using a solvent to break down the cell structure of the algae and release the oil. Algae oil is chemically refined and converted to biodiesel, a biofuel that can be used in diesel engines, while the remnant algae after the oil is extracted can be fermented and turned into bioethanol, a biofuel that can be used in gasoline engines.

There would be a number of potential benefits from supplanting humanity’s oil needs with these biofuels. For one, combusting algae fuel not only produces fewer sulfur oxides and carbon monoxides compared to conventional fuel, but can also absorb existing carbon in the atmosphere since algae use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis, which will allow these biofuels to be more carbon neutral. Additionally, algae can be grown in saltwater or even wastewater, reducing stress on limited freshwater supplies. Growing algae will not require large scale deforestation and land use due to being grown aquatically. And compared to current biofuels that use land-based crops, algae can generate 30 times more energy, and they can also grow much faster than land crops.

A few important goals still exist regarding further development in the field of algae-based biofuels. Engineering “breeds” of algae with higher oil content than current species is one important goal, as different breeds can have different levels of oil content. The use of selective breeding or genetic engineering could potentially produce a strain with more oil. Improving the efficiency of extraction methods is another goal that will require improved engineering. Technologies like photobioreactors, which are enclosed algae growing containers to mitigate the effects of evaporation and water contamination, are still in their infancy and quite expensive.

In recent years, progress has been made in turning these biofuels from theory into an actual possibility. Today, American companies like Viridos and Manta Biofuel, as well as European companies like Bloom Biorenewables and Fulcrum Bioenergy have received significant funding from public and private sources to develop improved harvesting and refining technologies. Additionally, countries like the US and the UK have poured funding into these programs. Algae-based biofuels have also seen practical applications, like in the US Navy, further demonstrating their effectiveness.  

However, these biofuels still aren’t ready for usage on a larger scale. Scalability to the point of providing sufficient power for a bulk of modern civilization can be very challenging for any new technology. The biggest issue with algae-based biofuel production, however, is cost, as the dewatering and harvesting processes can be exceedingly expensive due to the infrastructure required, and alternatives have not been proven to be scalable. In fact, the production cost for a single gallon of algae-based biofuel could be up to ​​$10.50, compared to diesel, which generally costs between $2.00 and $3.00 per gallon. Additionally, while there is still uncertainty about their total emissions, it’s possible that creating the infrastructure to harvest and refine algae into oil at scale may produce more emissions than would be saved by using algae-based biofuels.

Overall, despite their potential drawbacks, algae-based biofuels offer a promising alternative to fossil fuels, with key benefits like fuel independence and a more renewable energy source existing in conjunction with potential environmental benefits. Overcoming challenges related to cost-effective and efficient growing, harvesting, and extraction remains crucial for commercial viability. Continued research and development are necessary to optimize algae strains, improve cultivation techniques, and enhance the efficiency of biofuel production processes. But algae has been proven to function as a fuel, and with more research and investment, it’s plausible that algae-based biofuels can become a significant force in the coming years. And it’s true that algae can, in fact, power your car.