September 24, 2024

Freddy Buncay 

12th Grade

St. Francis Preparatory School 

Algae are considered one of the most diverse groups of organisms due to the amount of different species. When one thinks about algae, the first thing that comes to mind is the green plant's figure. Scientists have started to think of new ways to use algae as a renewable biofuel. 

What makes algae special is the way they store their energy. Algae stores energy in the form of natural oils; extract the oil and you have enough energy and materials to produce renewable fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, algae can potentially produce up to 60 times more oil per acre than land-based plants. By using solvents and/or sound waves, you can break down the cell structure. The oil of the algae is then able to be extracted and processed at an integrated biorefinery. Algae benefit the environment by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Scientists and researchers are optimistic about the potential held within the use of algae as biofuel. Anything that currently relies on gasoline and diesel could use biofuel from algae in the future. Since algae grow in different climates, scientists are testing the algae in different conditions to find the best strains and the most efficient farming methods. With all this said, algae is still a long way away from overtaking commercial production. 

After discussing the many positives associated with algae use as fuel, you, as the reader, may start thinking to yourself that algae should be the indisputable production of fuel. However, fossil fuel use will continue to increase due to our increasing population and expanding economy. The two problems that plague renewable energies are, the ability to operate sustainably and the competitive cost with existing energy options. Although there are a variety of renewable technologies that can generate electrical power, renewable technologies are still in their early development stages. To many, algae are the future of biofuel and it was only time until it eclipsed regular fossil fuels; however, looking at the present, algae hasn't lived up to its hype and/or potential.

The thing that makes biofuels, biofuels, is the content of lipids. Lipids are fatty molecules found in cells that store energy and provide structural support. As photosynthetic plants go, algae completely defeat all other plants. Algae’s volume is made up of all these lipids which can then be made into industrial chemicals. The list of benefits continues, they grow incredibly fast and they grow in any environment. The problem with the use of algae as a renewable fuel is the economy. The open pond system, used to create the algae, takes up a lot of land which can lead to competition with food crops and deforestation. Far more cheaply, fossil fuel extraction is just more appealing to everyone.

Algae were once seen as the future of biofuels, which could help create a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. However, due to many reasons, algae have failed to live up to their potential; fossil fuel extraction being far cheaper, increasing population, and expansion are a number of reasons correlating to the lack of growth in algae as the future of biofuels.