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Pages 1-10

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From page 1...
... Biofuels produced from microalgae and cyanobacteria1 offer potential advantages over terrestrial plant-based biofuels, such as high biomass productivity and the ability to grow in cultivation ponds or photobioreactors on non-arable lands using saline water or wastewater sources. However, along with potential environmental and social benefits, production of algal biofuels could result in significant resource inputs and in negative environmental and other detrimental effects, as is true of all forms of energy production.
From page 2...
... The intent of this report is to help anticipate the major sustainability concerns associated with resource use and the potential environmental and societal consequences if commercial-scale algal biofuel production is widely deployed and to explore the opportunities for mitigating the concerns. However, the ultimate productivity of algal biofuels, some of their resource use and environmental concerns, and some strategies for mitigating the concerns might affect the economic viability of algal biofuels.
From page 3...
... consumptive use of fresh water for producing 1 liter of gasoline equivalent of algal biofuel is 3.15 to 3,650 liters, depending on whether the algae or cyanobacteria need to be harvested to be processed to fuels or if they secrete fuel products; Figure S-1 whether fresh water, inland saline water, marine water, or wastewater is used as a replaced with new bitmapppedculture medium; image the climatic condition of the region if open ponds are used; and whether the harvest water from algae cultivation is recycled. In other words, at least 123 billion liters of water would be needed to produce 39 billion liters of algal biofuels or an equivalent of 5 percent of U.S.
From page 4...
... If the sites are near urban or suburban centers or coastal recreation areas, the price of those lands could hinder their use for algae cultivation. A national assessment of land requirements for algae cultivation that takes into account climatic conditions; fresh water, inland and coastal saline water, and wastewater resources; sources of CO2; and land prices is needed to inform the potential amount of algal biofuels that could be produced economically in the United States.
From page 5...
... Algal biofuel production would have to produce sufficiently more energy than is required in cultivation and fuel conversion to be sustainable. · GHG emissions over the life cycle of algal biofuels.
From page 6...
... Breakthroughs and innovations in areas such as increasing the capability of algae to use nutrients efficiently or engineering designs to reduce processing requirements have the potential to greatly improve the energy balance and enhance the overall sustainability of algal biofuels. Engineering solutions to enhance algae cultivation, to facilitate biomass or product collection, and to improve processing of algae-derived fuels can increase the EROI and reduce the GHG emissions of algal biofuel production.
From page 7...
... to aid DOE in its decisionmaking process that would help ensure sustainable development of algal biofuels. The framework uses a variety of tools for assessing overall sustainability including LCAs that integrate a particular aspect of sustainability through the supply chain, cumulative impact Examples of Example Assessment steps variables methods of assessment Assess energy balance and Energy balance Life-cycle GHG emissions GHG emissions assessment Early Assess quantifiable sustainability goals Life-cycle that can be estimated on the basis of Nutrient and water use assessment engineering designs and principles Development Phase Life-cycle Water use, water and air assessment or quality, and biodiversity Assess quantifiable sustainability goals Assessment for Reassessment of energy whose effects are site-specific balance and GHG one production emissions step Water use Assess sustainability goals that are Water quality Cumulative affected by multiple regional activities Air quality impact analysis Biodiversity Late Ecosystem Environmental service Assess linkages and trade-offs among variables analysis sustainability goals Socioeconomic Cost-benefit variables analysis FIGURE S-2 A potential framework for assessing sustainability of algal biofuels during different stages of development.
From page 8...
... The resource requirements and environmental effects also have to be assessed in the context of existing activities at the sites where algal biofuel production systems are to be developed. As the algal biofuel industry develops, the ability of different pathways for algal biofuel production to meet and balance productivity of fuel with the other environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals has to be assessed in a holistic manner.
From page 9...
... CONCLUSIONS This report identified EROI; GHG emissions; water use; supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon dioxide; and appropriate land resources as potential sustainability concerns of high importance. The committee does not consider any one of these sustainability concerns a definitive barrier to sustainable development of algal biofuels because mitigation strategies for each of those concerns have been proposed and are being developed.


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