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The Science of Algal Fuels pp 341–354Cite as

Fuel from Seaweeds: Rationale and Feasibility

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Part of the book series: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology ((COLE,volume 25))

Abstract

Long-term overconsumption of fossil fuels has triggered the search of new, sustainable sources of fuel alternatives. Following the success in Brazil, biofuels (mainly bioethanol and biodiesel) have become targets to curb demands for conventional gasoline and diesel. Yet, in choosing a suitable plant crop for fuel, we must consider many environmental and economic constraints. Algal fuels are an encouraging energy alternative because algae have high growth rates and low energetic demands and contain high lipid and carbohydrate levels. However, when estimating their economic feasibility, it becomes quite clear that much progress remains to be made in order to make algal fuel an economically viable venture. One possible solution for making feedstock cheaper may be reached through the integration of algal cultures with bioremediation processes and other industries, thus rendering the algal by-products into the raw material for a cheap fuel source.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Sustainable Planing and Policy Research, Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Neger, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Ariel Reznik

  2. Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Ltd., The National Institute of Oceanography, 8030, 31080, Tel Shikmona, Haifa, Israel

    Alvaro Israel

Authors
  1. Ariel Reznik
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  2. Alvaro Israel
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Correspondence to Ariel Reznik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, Clark Drive 222, Panacea, 32346, Florida, USA

    Richard Gordon

  2. University of Jerusalem, Mevo Hadas 20, Efrat, 90435, Israel

    Joseph Seckbach

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Reznik, A., Israel, A. (2012). Fuel from Seaweeds: Rationale and Feasibility. In: Gordon, R., Seckbach, J. (eds) The Science of Algal Fuels. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 25. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5110-1_19

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