Microalgae biodiesel production: a solution to increasing energy demands in Turkey

Abstract

The transportation sector in Turkey, as in other parts of the world, has gained rapid momentum because of population growth and increased industrialization. The energy demand met using combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, is the main issue to be assessed; however, because Turkey has a limited petroleum reservoir, > 70% of its fossil fuel is imported from foreign suppliers. In other words, Turkey’s economy is largely dependent on these countries for their fossil fuel commodities. Thus, not only would the production of microalgae-based biodiesel for Turkey’s transportation sector prevent global environmental disasters by limiting the use of unsustainable fossil fuels, thereby mitigating emissions (which have escalated over the past century), but it could also be the answer to Turkey’s increasing energy demand. The aim of this review is to use a snapshot of the energy demand not only in Turkey but throughout the entire world to assess the development of biodiesel sources, biodiesel policies, and biodiesel strategies in Turkey, and to provide a review of the technology involved in microalgae-based biodiesel production. With this study, energy solutions are provided to alleviate dependence on foreign-based energy resources by using new technologies to produce sustainable biodiesel fuel.