Abstract
The production of renewable energy is undergoing rapid development. Ethanol primarily derived from corn and biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil and agricultural grains are established sources of renewable transportation fuel. Cellulosic ethanol production is increasing substantially, but at a rate below expectations. If future renewable fuel projections are to be accomplished, additional sources will be needed. Ideally, these sources should be independent of competing feedstock use such as food grains, and require a minimal footprint. Although the uses of algae seem promising, a number of demonstrations have not been economically successful in today‟s market. This paper identifies efforts being conducted on ethanol and biodiesel production and how algae might contribute to the production of biofuel in the United States. Additionally, the feedstock and land requirements of existing biofuel pathways are compared and discussed.
Highlights
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) (H.R. 6) and the 2005 federal renewable fuel standard (RFS) stipulates that, by 2022, the United States must produce billion gallons per year (Bgal/yr) or 56.8 million cubic meters (x106 m3/yr) of corn-based ethanol (CBE), Bgal/yr (60.6 Mm3/yr) of cellulosic biofuels, 1 Bgal/yr (3.8 x106 m3/yr) of biodiesel, and 4 Bgal/yr (15.1 x106 m3/yr) of advanced biofuels (Environmental News Service, 2011; Public Law 110–140, 2007; RFS Renewable Fuels Association, 2012)
As apposes to ethanol derived from a petrochemical process, biologically derived ethanol sometimes referred to as bioethanol, is a renewable fuel
Algae can produce substantial concentrations of lipids which can be used to produce biodiesel, jet-fuel and other petroleum products; as well as carbohydrates which can be processed into ethanol; and proteins with high nutritional quality that commonly are used for human and animal consumption (Dien et al, 2006)
Summary
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) (H.R. 6) and the 2005 federal renewable fuel standard (RFS) stipulates that, by 2022, the United States must produce billion gallons per year (Bgal/yr) or 56.8 million cubic meters (x106 m3/yr) of corn-based ethanol (CBE), Bgal/yr (60.6 Mm3/yr) of cellulosic biofuels, 1 Bgal/yr (3.8 x106 m3/yr) of biodiesel, and 4 Bgal/yr (15.1 x106 m3/yr) of advanced biofuels (other than corn-based ethanol) (Environmental News Service, 2011; Public Law 110–140, 2007; RFS Renewable Fuels Association, 2012). The Indian River Bioenergy Plant has the capability of producing 8 Mgal/yr (30.3x103 m3/yr) (as well as 5 megawatts of electric power), and the Fiberight Blairstown Plant can produce 6 Mgal/yr (22.7x103 m3/yr) the other ten facilities are demonstration pilot plants, with a production limit of less than 1.4 Mgal/yr (5.3x103 m3/yr) (Shaffer, 2012; Ethanol Producers Digest, 2013) These demonstration projects have proven that their technology is successful. The „Ethanol Producers Digest‟ has estimated that the 2013 level of 20 Mgal/yr (75.7x103 m3/yr) will increase to a total of 104 Mgal/yr (394 x103 m3/yr) when plants that already are under construction are brought into operation (Shaffer, 2012; Ethanol Producers Digest, 2013) Even if these optimistic predictions for cellulosic ethanol production are achieved, production still will remain far below the 2014 RFS of 1.75 Bgal/yr (6.6 x106 m3/yr) (Herndon, 2012). The development of additional renewable fuel sources seems necessary to achieve the 2022 RFS goal of producing a total of 36 Bgal/yr (136 x106 m3/yr) of renewable fuel
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