Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States

Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Overview of Algal Biofuel Supply Chain 3 Pathways for Algal Biofuel Production 4 Natural Resource Use 5 Environmental Effects 6 A Framework to Assess Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels Appendixes Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members Appendix B: Statement of Task Appendix C: Presentations to the Committee Appendix D: Glossary Appendix E: Select Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix F: Conversion Factors Appendix G: Economics of Coproduct Production from Large-Scale Algal Biofuels Systems