Paper details

Title:

A Review of the Ecological Impacts of Cultivation of Macro-Algae for Bioenergy

Author(s):

Thornley, P., Jones, B.

Document(s):

Abstract:

There is increasing global interest in the prospects of using algae as a source of biomass for energy. One option is utilization of fast­growing kelp or macro­algae that can be either cultivated at sea or harvested from naturally occurring wild sources. This is attractive from a potential energy resource perspective as it allows us to escape the limitations and constraints of terrestrial cultivation. However, experience with terrestrial biofuel systems has shown that it is important to comprehensively scope all of the potential impacts of such a system in the early development stages. This paper seeks to identify and map the ecological impacts of a macro­algae bioenergy chain in order to identify those most likely to require active management to enhance the sustainability of the bioenergy supply chain. It includes consideration of wild harvesting and cultivation options, taking account of the greenhouse gas balance of the overall system and identifies process steps which require further development to ensure sustainable exploitation of this marine biomass resource.

Keywords:

algae, anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power generation (CHP), environmental impact, life cycle assessment (LCA), macroalgae

Topic:

Biomass Resources

Subtopic:

Algae assessment and conversion

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

OB10.2

Pages:

124 - 128

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OB10.2

Price:

FREE