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Comparative cost analysis of algal oil production for biofuels

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  • Sun, Amy
  • Davis, Ryan
  • Starbuck, Meghan
  • Ben-Amotz, Ami
  • Pate, Ron
  • Pienkos, Philip T.

Abstract

Economic analysis is an essential evaluation for considering feasibility and viability of large-scale, photoautotrophic algae-based, biofuel production. Thus far, economic analysis has been conducted on a scenario-by-scenario basis which does not allow for cross-comparisons. In 2008, a comparative study was carried out using a cross-section of cost analyses consisting of 12 public studies. The resulting triacylglyceride cost had a spread of two orders of magnitude excluding two studies which were intended for specialty chemicals. The cost spread can be largely attributed to disparate assumptions and uncertainties in economic and process inputs. To address this disparity, four partners from research, academia, and industry collaborated on a harmonization study to estimate algal oil production costs based on a common framework. The updated cost comparison based on a normalized set of input assumptions was found to greatly reduce economic variability, resulting in algal oil production costs ranging from $10.87 gallon−1 to $13.32 gallon−1.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Amy & Davis, Ryan & Starbuck, Meghan & Ben-Amotz, Ami & Pate, Ron & Pienkos, Philip T., 2011. "Comparative cost analysis of algal oil production for biofuels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 5169-5179.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:8:p:5169-5179
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.06.020
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    1. Cheng, Jun & Feng, Jia & Sun, Jing & Huang, Yun & Zhou, Junhu & Cen, Kefa, 2014. "Enhancing the lipid content of the diatom Nitzschia sp. by 60Co-γ irradiation mutation and high-salinity domestication," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 9-15.
    2. Ramos Tercero, Elia Armandina & Domenicali, Giacomo & Bertucco, Alberto, 2014. "Autotrophic production of biodiesel from microalgae: An updated process and economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 807-815.
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    4. Beal, C.M. & Hebner, R.E. & Webber, M.E., 2012. "Thermodynamic analysis of algal biocrude production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 925-943.
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    7. 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.
    8. Raslavičius, Laurencas & Semenov, Vladimir G. & Chernova, Nadezhda I. & Keršys, Artūras & Kopeyka, Aleksandr K., 2014. "Producing transportation fuels from algae: In search of synergy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 133-142.
    9. Haase, Rachel & Bielicki, Jeffrey & Kuzma, Jennifer, 2013. "Innovation in emerging energy technologies: A case study analysis to inform the path forward for algal biofuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1595-1607.
    10. Gu, X. & Martinez-Fernandez, J.S. & Pang, N. & Fu, X. & Chen, S., 2020. "Recent development of hydrothermal liquefaction for algal biorefinery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    11. Meyer, Markus A. & Weiss, Annika, 2014. "Life cycle costs for the optimized production of hydrogen and biogas from microalgae," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 84-93.
    12. Gu, Xiangyu & Yu, Liang & Pang, Na & Martinez-Fernandez, Jose Salomon & Fu, Xiao & Chen, Shulin, 2020. "Comparative techno-economic analysis of algal biofuel production via hydrothermal liquefaction: One stage versus two stages," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    13. Lucas Reijnders, 2013. "Lipid‐based liquid biofuels from autotrophic microalgae: energetic and environmental performance," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 2(1), pages 73-85, January.
    14. Chia, Shir Reen & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Chew, Kit Wayne & Show, Pau Loke & Phang, Siew-Moi & Ling, Tau Chuan & Nagarajan, Dillirani & Lee, Duu-Jong & Chang, Jo-Shu, 2018. "Sustainable approaches for algae utilisation in bioenergy production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PB), pages 838-852.
    15. Thomassen, Gwenny & Van Dael, Miet & Lemmens, Bert & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "A review of the sustainability of algal-based biorefineries: Towards an integrated assessment framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 876-887.
    16. Esakkimuthu, Sivakumar & Krishnamurthy, Venkatesan & Wang, Shuang & El-Fatah Abomohra, Abd & Shanmugam, Sabarathinam & Ramakrishnan, Sankar Ganesh & Subrmaniam, Sadhasivam & K, Swaminathan, 2019. "Simultaneous induction of biomass and lipid production in Tetradesmus obliquus BPL16 through polysorbate supplementation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 807-815.
    17. Judd, S.J. & Al Momani, F.A.O. & Znad, H. & Al Ketife, A.M.D., 2017. "The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 379-387.
    18. Taylor, Benjamin & Xiao, Ning & Sikorski, Janusz & Yong, Minloon & Harris, Tom & Helme, Tim & Smallbone, Andrew & Bhave, Amit & Kraft, Markus, 2013. "Techno-economic assessment of carbon-negative algal biodiesel for transport solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 262-274.
    19. Ferreira, G.F. & Ríos Pinto, L.F. & Maciel Filho, R. & Fregolente, L.V., 2019. "A review on lipid production from microalgae: Association between cultivation using waste streams and fatty acid profiles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 448-466.
    20. Andre DuPont, 2013. "Best practices for the sustainable production of algae-based biofuel in China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 97-111, January.
    21. Suali, Emma & Sarbatly, Rosalam, 2012. "Conversion of microalgae to biofuel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 4316-4342.

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