Algae shows promise as fuel, says CSIRO

Algae have the potential to produce biodiesel, according to researcher Tom Beer. Beer and his team, who work for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, discovered algae’s potential during a detailed life-cycle analysis of the benefits of algal biodiesel. Their research has shown that under ideal conditions it is possible to produce algal biodiesel at a lower cost and with less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil diesel. Algae thrive on carbon dioxide (CO2), which means that environmentally damaging CO2 emissions from industry could also become a useful resource. Making biodiesel from algae removes the issue of competing land use because the facilities would not be established on land that might otherwise be used to grow food. Also, algal farms have a very low environmental impact in comparison to crops that are grown for biodiesel, Beer said. (March 18, 2009)