A new study from Bioresource Technology finds that algae-based biofuel can reduce CO2 emissions by 50 to 70 percent when compared to petroleum-based fuels. The study also found that algae biofuel is close to matching the Energy Return on Investment (EROI) of fossil fuels. The peer-reviewed paper concludes that algae is likely on par with or better than first generation biofuels and is poised to surpass advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol in terms of environmental and energy benefits.
The study entitled Pilot-scale data provide enhanced estimates of the life cycle energy and emissions profile of algae biofuels produced via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is the first to analyze data from a commercial-scale algae-to-energy farm. Researchers examined field data from Sapphire Energy facilities in Las Cruces and Columbus, New Mexico.