Farming Algal Fuel: Economics Challenge Process Potential Global
Aquaculture Advocate 13(4): 71-73 (July/August). View also as
PDF (783 KB). William A. Wurts, Ph.D. Senior State Specialist
for Aquaculture Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension
Program Algae offer advantages over terrestrial plants for
biofuel production. Algae have short generation cycles and fast
population growth that also support genetic advances. Using
algae for biofuel production would spare corn and soybeans for
consumption as food by humans. While there is commercial
potential for microalgae, technological and other obstacles
related to algae species, environmental conditions and
production logistics must be met for practical large-scale
production. Costs for energy, especially crude oil, have
skyrocketed and global consumption of fossil fuels continues to
rise. Using United States Department of Energy crude oil
estimates for the proved world reserves and daily global
consumption, one can project that recent rates of crude oil