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Techno-economic assessment of micro-algae as feedstock for renewable bio-energy production

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  • Jonker, J.G.G.
  • Faaij, A.P.C.

Abstract

This paper determines the energy consumption ratio and overall bio-energy production costs of micro-algae cultivation, harvesting and conversion to secondary energy carriers, thus helping to clarify future perspectives of micro-algae production for energy purposes. A limitation growth model is developed, which determines the productivity of micro-algae for different climate profiles. Total direct and indirect energy consumption ratios for the production of heat, fuels and electricity derived from micro-algae are calculated. Overall direct energy consumption ratio for raceway ponds is 0.06 for the optimal case, indirect energy consumption ratio for that case is 0.74. Direct energy consumption ratio in horizontal tubular systems is 0.32 for the optimal case, indirect energy consumption ratio for that case is 117. The implementation of different improvement options could reduce the indirect energy consumption ratio by fifty percent for both raceway ponds and horizontal tubular systems in the optimistic scenario. Prominent elements of the energy consumption ratios are carbon dioxide supply for raceway ponds and circulation power consumption for horizontal tubular systems. The lower end of fuel production cost calculated for raceway ponds is 136€2010/GJ and 153€2010/GJ for horizontal tubular systems (non-renewable gasoline and diesel is about 5–20€/GJ). Considering possible improvement options overall bio-energy production costs could be reduced by one-fourth. Current results suggest that micro-algae cultivation is not suitable for dedicated bio-energy production in considered cultivation, harvesting and conversion options. Coproduction of bio-energy with high-value products are more viable, but is not considered in this research.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonker, J.G.G. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2013. "Techno-economic assessment of micro-algae as feedstock for renewable bio-energy production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 461-475.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:102:y:2013:i:c:p:461-475
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.07.053
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark Huntley & Donald Redalje, 2007. "CO 2 Mitigation and Renewable Oil from Photosynthetic Microbes: A New Appraisal," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 573-608, May.
    2. Andre Faaij, 2006. "Modern Biomass Conversion Technologies," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 335-367, March.
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    2. Boruff, Bryan J. & Moheimani, Navid R. & Borowitzka, Michael A., 2015. "Identifying locations for large-scale microalgae cultivation in Western Australia: A GIS approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 379-391.
    3. Minghao Chen & Yixuan Chen & Qingtao Zhang, 2021. "A Review of Energy Consumption in the Acquisition of Bio-Feedstock for Microalgae Biofuel Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-22, August.
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    6. Chaudry, Sofia & Bahri, Parisa A. & Moheimani, Navid R., 2015. "Pathways of processing of wet microalgae for liquid fuel production: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1240-1250.
    7. Tredici, M.R. & Bassi, N. & Prussi, M. & Biondi, N. & Rodolfi, L. & Chini Zittelli, G. & Sampietro, G., 2015. "Energy balance of algal biomass production in a 1-ha “Green Wall Panel” plant: How to produce algal biomass in a closed reactor achieving a high Net Energy Ratio," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1103-1111.
    8. Du, Xinrui & Tao, Yi & Li, Huan & Liu, Yueling & Feng, Kai, 2019. "Synergistic methane production from the anaerobic co-digestion of Spirulina platensis with food waste and sewage sludge at high solid concentrations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 55-61.
    9. Thorin, Eva & Olsson, Jesper & Schwede, Sebastian & Nehrenheim, Emma, 2018. "Co-digestion of sewage sludge and microalgae – Biogas production investigations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 64-72.
    10. Teo, Chee Loong & Jamaluddin, Haryati & Zain, Nur Azimah Mohd & Idris, Ani, 2014. "Biodiesel production via lipase catalysed transesterification of microalgae lipids from Tetraselmis sp," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-5.
    11. Jacob, Amita & Xia, Ao & Murphy, Jerry D., 2015. "A perspective on gaseous biofuel production from micro-algae generated from CO2 from a coal-fired power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 396-402.
    12. Giostri, A. & Binotti, M. & Macchi, E., 2016. "Microalgae cofiring in coal power plants: Innovative system layout and energy analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 449-464.
    13. Fasahati, Peyman & Woo, Hee Chul & Liu, J. Jay, 2015. "Industrial-scale bioethanol production from brown algae: Effects of pretreatment processes on plant economics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 175-187.
    14. Sawant, S.S. & Gosavi, S.N. & Khadamkar, H.P. & Mathpati, C.S. & Pandit, Reena & Lali, A.M., 2019. "Energy efficient design of high depth raceway pond using computational fluid dynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 528-537.
    15. Togarcheti, Sarat Chandra & Mediboyina, Maneesh kumar & Chauhan, Vikas Singh & Mukherji, Suparna & Ravi, Sarada & Mudliar, Sandeep Narayan, 2017. "Life cycle assessment of microalgae based biodiesel production to evaluate the impact of biomass productivity and energy source," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 286-294.
    16. Prajapati, Sanjeev Kumar & Malik, Anushree & Vijay, Virendra Kumar, 2014. "Comparative evaluation of biomass production and bioenergy generation potential of Chlorella spp. through anaerobic digestion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 790-797.
    17. Hallenbeck, P.C. & Grogger, M. & Mraz, M. & Veverka, D., 2016. "Solar biofuels production with microalgae," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 136-145.
    18. Chen, QianQian & Tang, ZhiYong & Lei, Yang & Sun, YuHan & Jiang, MianHeng, 2015. "Feasibility analysis of nuclear–coal hybrid energy systems from the perspective of low-carbon development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 619-630.
    19. Zhu, Liandong & Hiltunen, Erkki & Shu, Qing & Zhou, Weizheng & Li, Zhaohua & Wang, Zhongming, 2014. "Biodiesel production from algae cultivated in winter with artificial wastewater through pH regulation by acetic acid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 103-110.
    20. Attila Bai & József Popp & Károly Pető & Irén Szőke & Mónika Harangi-Rákos & Zoltán Gabnai, 2017. "The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO 2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-24, May.

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