Towards Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Microalgae Biofuels for a Greener Future

Indrajeet Singh, Ashutosh Pandey, Sumarlin Shangdiar, Piyush Kant Rai, Ajay Kumar (), Kassian T. T. Amesho () and Faizal Bux ()
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Indrajeet Singh: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rama University, Kanpur 209217, India
Ashutosh Pandey: Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, 19 Steve Biko Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa
Sumarlin Shangdiar: Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
Piyush Kant Rai: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, AKS University, Sherganj, Panna Road, Satna 485001, India
Ajay Kumar: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rama University, Kanpur 209217, India
Kassian T. T. Amesho: Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
Faizal Bux: Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, 19 Steve Biko Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-27

Abstract: Bioenergy productions from microalgae have received wide attention recently and have a high potential to replace fossil fuels. Moreover, due to the high photosynthetic efficiency, microalgae mass cultivation and scale-up are believed to efficiently reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. This review article explores the potential of microalgae as a reliable and sustainable source of bioenergy feedstock. The current review article contains an in-depth discussion of the various methods of producing energy using microalgae, viz. algal fuel cell (AFC), microbial fuel cell (MFC), bioethanol and biodiesel, and various other applications. This article discussed the different aspects of AFC and MFC, such as fuel cell configurations, reaction mechanisms at electrodes, reactor design factors affecting the efficiencies, and strategies to enhance the efficiencies. Moreover, microalgae cultivation, value-added compounds (pigments, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids), liquid fuel production, limitations, the global scenario of microalgae biomass-based energy, and significant advancements in this field. In a nutshell, this review serves as a valuable resource for identifying, developing, and harnessing the potential of microalgae as a promising biofuel source.

Keywords: algae; biomass; algal fuel cells; reactor design; biofuel feedstock; value added products (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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