Abstract
Photobiological production of H2 by cyanobacteria is considered to be an ideal source of renewable energy because the inputs, water and sunlight, are abundant. The products of photobiological systems are H2 and O2; the H2 can be used as the energy source of fuel cells, etc., which generate electricity at high efficiencies and minimal pollution, as the waste product is H2O. Overall, production of commercially viable algal fuels in any form, including biomass and biodiesel, is challenging, and the very few systems that are operational have yet to be evaluated. In this paper we will: briefly review some of the necessary conditions for economical production, summarize the reports of photobiological H2 production by cyanobacteria, present our schemes for future production, and discuss the necessity for further progress in the research needed to achieve commercially viable large-scale H2 production.
Highlights
Even if we succeed in stabilizing greenhouse gases at the level of 530–580 ppm CO2 equivalent, the global average temperature will rise around 2.0–2.2 °C relative to the 1850–1900 temperatures
In order for photobiologically produced H2 to make meaningful contributions to the mitigation of global warming caused by greenhouse gases, notably CO2, economical production of H2 is essential
H2 production are in the development stages and the cost estimates of the produced H2 are preliminary due to various unpredictable factors, Sakurai et al [44] presented a very preliminary estimate of
Summary
The concentration of atmospheric CO2 has been increasing since the era of the industrial revolution when it was estimated to be 270–280 ppm initially, rising to current levels of about 400 ppm. Change) [1,2], the greatest contribution to the global increase in greenhouse gases comes from CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels (65%) and land use changes (deforestation) (11%), followed by methane (16%), N2O (6%) and fluorocarbons, etc. If we are able to stabilize the atmospheric greenhouse gases at 530–580 ppm-CO2 equivalent (approximately twice that of the pre-industrial level), one of the ICPP scenarios predicts that we will need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 19%–47% in 2050 and 59%–81% in 2100 (relative to 2010 emissions). Even if we succeed in stabilizing greenhouse gases at the level of 530–580 ppm CO2 equivalent, the global average temperature will rise around 2.0–2.2 °C relative to the 1850–1900 temperatures. Stabilizing emissions at a less-stringent level of 720–1000 ppm-CO2 equivalent, would still require substantial emissions reduction from current, largely unregulated levels, and result in the average temperature rising around. CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels and avert potentially catastrophic climate change
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