Title:
Microalgae as Potential Source of Bioenergy
Author(s):
Jonker, J.G.G.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
A potential source of bioenergy is the production of microalgae derived heat, fuels and electricity. For the evaluation of this new source of bioenergy costs and net energy production are two important assessment parameters. In this research the costs and energy consumption ratio of heat, fuel and electricity produced with raceway ponds and horizontal tubular systems on three locations were calculated. For both raceway ponds and horizontal tubular systems the most productivity locations in combination with efficient conversion options do have a positive direct energy balance. The net energy production is limited of negative when taken into account the indirect energy consumption of the cultivation and harvesting and conversion efficiency of microalgae to bioenergy on the selected locations with raceway ponds and horizontal tubular systems. The total bioenergy production costs largely overshoot current fossil fuel prices, mainly due to the capital investment costs of cultivation and harvesting.
Keywords:
bioenergy, conversion, cultivation, harvesting, micro-algae
Topic:
Plenaries
Subtopic:
Algae and energy crops: future research development
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
PC1.1
Pages:
18 - 19
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-PC1.1
Price:
FREE
