Oil from Algae
More than 75 developers globally are studying the use of algae to create biofuel. Making fuel from algae has the potential to generate more energy per acre than any other crop used for making biofuell. The U.S. Department of Energy and big oil companies plans to invest $600 million on research over five years.
Japan abandoned an algae project in the 1990s, when oil prices dropped below $10 a barrel. Now major companies may join a study into the microorganisms that can be used for turning waste water into biofuel, remove carbon dioxide from the air and reduce the need for fossil fuels.
Algae use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and biofuel through photosynthesis. The plants can be cultivated on marginal land in open ponds or in devices that protect them from contamination and maintain a steady temperature for more intensive production.
Using algae instead of food crops does not have the political problems of using food for fuel instead of human consumption. Producing biofuel from algae is currently much more expensive than from other crops but the cost should decrease as technology advances and genetically engineered species of algae produce more fuel.
