The power potential of algae

Research into the potential of algae as a fuel source is moving quickly, despite serious debate over its heavy reliance on water. As scientists continue to demonstrate algae's power potential - from a building powered entirely by algae to an algae carbon capture facility - we profile some of the most interesting research projects currently underway.

Algae-fuel is fast becoming a viable green power production solution and alternative to finite fuel sources such as crude oil, which is both costly and harmful to the environment.

However, despite algae's green credentials and the fact it has several advantages over traditional bio-fuels, such as corn and soybeans, up-scaling of the technology has faced difficulties, primarily due to concerns about the large amount of water it requires.

This issue is once again being debated after new research was published in an American Chemical Society journal which stated that America's land and water resources could potentially support the growth of enough algae to produce up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel a year, one-twelfth of the US's annual needs.

The report states that if grown in specific areas where conditions for algae growth are epically favourable, the problem of water is significantly reduced. Many non-renewable power industries rely heavily on water use for production, most notably hydraulic fracking, which has experienced a boom in the US in recent years, so by this comparison, a high reliance on water shouldn't necessarily hold large scale production of algae bio-fuel back, especially as algae farms can be used to absorb harmful carbon emissions from power plants and other sources.

However, debate continues about the commercial viability of algal power. The Algal Biomass Organization, for example, believes algae fuel could reach price parity with oil by 2018.

Exxon Mobil chairman Rex Tillerson said in March that after spending $600m on the development of algae fuel for the automotive industry it is still probably "further than" 25 years away from commercial viability.

Whichever prediction you choose to believe, there is no doubt algal power production is commanding attention, especially with its ability to be grown in salt-water, fresh-water and wastewater. In time, it's fair to say, it could be the renewable bio-fuel of choice, especially as its use goes beyond creating bio-fuels for aviation and cars.