A perspective on algal biogas

Algae are suggested as a biomass source with significant growth rates, which may be cultivated in the ocean (seaweed) or on marginal land (microalgae). Biogas is suggested as a beneficial route to sustainable energy; however the scientific literature on algal biogas is relatively sparse. This report comprises a review of the literature and provides a state of the art in algal biogas and is aimed at an audience of academics and energy policy makers. It was produced by IEA Bioenergy Task 37 which addresses the challenges related to the economic and environmental sustainability of biogas production and utilisation.JRC.F.8-Sustainable Transpor

Opportunities, recent trends and challenges of integrated biorefinery: Part II

Availability of cost-competitive biomass conversion technologies plays crucial role for successful realization of biorefinery for sustainable production of fuels and organic chemicals from biomass. The present article provides an outline of opportunities and socio-techno-economic challenges of various biomass processing technologies. The biomass processing technologies were classified into three broad categories: thermochemical, chemical and biochemical. This review article presents an overview of two potential thermochemical conversion processes, gasification and fast pyrolysis, for direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. The article further provides a brief review of chemical conversion of triglycerides by transesterification with methanol for production of biodiesel. The highly productive microalgae as an abundant source of triglycerides for biodiesel and various other fuels products were also reviewed. The present article also provides an outline of various steps involved in biochemical conversion of carbohydrates to alcoholic bio-fuels, bio-ethanol and bio-butanols and conversion of nature׳s most abundant aromatic polymer, lignin, to value-added fuels and chemicals. Furthermore, an overview of production of hydrocarbon fuels through various biomass processing technologies such as hydrodeoxygenation of triglycerides, biosynthetic pathways and aqueous phase catalysis in hydrocarbon biorefinery were highlighted. The present article additionally provides economic comparisons of various biomass conversion technologies

Marine Biotechnology: A New Vision and Strategy for Europe

Marine Board-ESF The Marine Board provides a pan-European platform for its member organisations to develop common priorities, to advance marine research, and to bridge the gap between science and policy in order to meet future marine science challenges and opportunities. The Marine Board was established in 1995 to facilitate enhanced cooperation between European marine science organisations (both research institutes and research funding agencies) towards the development of a common vision on the research priorities and strategies for marine science in Europe. In 2010, the Marine Board represents 30 Member Organisations from 19 countries. The Marine Board provides the essential components for transferring knowledge for leadership in marine research in Europe. Adopting a strategic role, the Marine Board serves its Member Organisations by providing a forum within which marine research policy advice to national agencies and to the European Commission is developed, with the objective of promoting the establishment of the European Marine Research Area

Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation - Agriculture Sector

This guidebook describes crop and livestock management technologies and practices that contribute to climate change mitigation while improving crop productivity, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and lowering water consumption. It is co-authored by internationally recognised experts in the areas of crops, livestock, emissions, and economics, and we are grateful for their efforts in producing this cross disciplinary work.This publication is part of a technical guidebook series produced by the UNEP Risø Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development (URC) as part of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project(http://tech-action.org) that is assisting developing countries in identifying and analysing the priority technology needs for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The TNA process involves differentstakeholders in a consultative process, enabling all stakeholders to understand their technology needs in a cohesive manner, and prepare Technology Action Plans (TAPs) accordingly.The TNA project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is being implemented by UNEP and the URC in 36 developing countries

Techno-Economic Analysis of Biogas Production from Microalgae through Anaerobic Digestion

Microalgae are a promising feedstock for bioenergy due to higher productivity, flexible growing conditions, and high lipid/polysaccharide content compared to terrestrial biomass. Microalgae can be converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD). AD is a mature technology with a high energy return on energy invested. Microalgae AD can bypass energy intensive dewatering operations that are associated with liquid fuel production from algae. A techno-economic assessment of the commercial feasibility of algae-based biogas production was conducted using Cyanothece BG0011 biomass as an example. BG0011 is a naturally occurring, saline cyanobacterium isolated from Florida Keys. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen and produces exopolysaccharide (EPS). Maximum cell density and EPS concentration of 2.7 and 2.1 g afdw1/L (for total algae biomass concentration of 4.8 g afdw/L) were obtained by air sparging. For an areal cell and EPS productivity of 12.4 and 9.6 g afdw/m2/day, respectively, the biomethane production cost was 14.8 $/MMBtu using covered anaerobic lagoon and high-pressure water scrubbing for biogas purification. Electricity production from biogas costs 13 cents/kwh. If areal productivity was increased by 33$/MMBtu and electricity cost to 11 cents/kwh