Microalgae – Opportunities and Challenges of an Innovative Energy Source

Microalgae produce higher biomass and oil yields than traditional energy crops, and they can be cultivated on marginal land or in seawater. Additional benefits can be achieved from co-production of food, feed and high-value chemicals as well as from environmental services, such as bio-fixation of CO2 and wastewater treatment. However, biotechnical, environmental, and economic challenges need to be overcome before large-scale production of algal-based biofuels becomes economically feasible. Major bottlenecks are high cultivation and harvesting costs, unfavourable energy balances, and the demand of nutrients. Long-term R&D in biotechnology is needed to develop systems for the production of sustainable algal-based biofuels. Moreover, the availability of land and nutrients for mass algae cultivation should be assessed and suitable production sites identified.