For the past several decades, new research about man-made pollution, global warming and climate change has sparked a race for an eco-friendly, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Algae bio-fuels have a large number of beneficial aspects but have not yet been able to remain viable or competitive with fossil fuels. Recent breakthroughs in the field have been made by utilizing technological advances in related sciences to genetically modify certain algae strains, and the new research has many scientists arguing that algae bio-fuels will be marketable in the very near future.
Microalgae, or tiny aquatic plants, converts sunlight into energy. Researchers were excited to discover that certain types of algae store this energy in the form of natural oil. This natural oil is extracted by using solvents or sound waves to break down the algae’s cell structure. Bio-refineries then convert the natural oils into fuel for cars, airplanes, trucks and trains. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy strongly believes that algae-based bio-fuels will become an important fuel source of the future. The federal government, along with private donors, are funding studies to research the 100,000 different strains of algae with renewable energy potential.
There are numerous factors contributing to the world’s shift away from fossil fuels, but there is no unified alternative energy strategy likely to provide a full solution to humanity’s issues with energy-consumption and environmental destruction. The most beneficial aspect of algae-based bio-fuels is that they are an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The algae strains absorb carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, which would offset the increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration stemming from extended fossil fuel use. There is significant potential to build bio-fuel algae plants nearby power plans to create an efficient carbon dioxide disposal system. Additionally, algae strains can grow in inhospitable conditions like saline water or nonproductive land.
There are some major limitations to algae-based bio-fuels that scientists are working to improve. The major set-back is that this renewable source is not yet cost-efficient. Business Insider explains that fossil fuels tend to hover around $3 per gallon, while currently algae bio-fuel is priced around $7.50 per gallon. This makes it nearly impossible to remain competitive with the current fossil fuel market. Additionally, algae blooms grow slowly and have a fairly low rate of oil production. Other challenges faced in the bio-fuel’s production include harvesting, production management, fuel extraction, refining and utilization of residual biomass.
In recent months, the alternative energy community has seen major breakthroughs in research utilizing genetic engineering technologies to modify algae strains. These scientists use advanced methods to alter genes within certain algae strains, and these modifications result in greater oil production. ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics Inc. doubled one strain of algae’s oil content from 20 percent to 40 percent using this technique. Co-founder and chairman of Synthetic Genomics, Craig Venter, believes that such genetic modification “holds crucial answers to unlocking the potential of algae as a renewable energy source.” Prior to these discoveries, algae-based energy sources were limited in their potential because the strains are low in oil content and grow slowly. This breakthrough research may be the key that unlocks algae's potential in becoming viable and cost-effective.
The alternative energy sector struggles to remain competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Research concerning global warming has fueled the societal shift towards more Eco-conscious behavior, but the sector has failed to produce a strong, viable energy source to measure up to fossil fuels and push the green movement into fruition. Algae-based fuel has failed to reach its potential in the past, but genetic engineers believe they have finally succeeded in creating a viable, marketable alternative that can replace oil in the near future. The CRISPR gene-editing technology has given scientists the ability to pinpoint specific genes, identify their functions and edit the genome. By hurdling this major challenge, it is highly likely that a productive and marketable strain of algae will be available on the market within the next few decades.
Algae-based bio-fuels have great potential to become the renewable energy source of the future. The major limitations of this bio-fuel are being counteracted by incorporating genetic modification technology into the field. The issues of sustainability, growth, nutrient regulation, oil production, viability and water use are all being addressed using CRISPR technology. Once the price is right, algae bio-fuel can be economically viable. A highly regarded manuscript by Michael Hannon and Javier Gimpel concluded that genetic engineering will likely produce a cost-competitive and viable algae bio-fuel within seven to ten years.
