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How viable are algae-based biofuels?

• samatman 16y ago
  Not bad, but far from a whole solution. Background: used to work for one of the raceway-pond based companies trying to commercialize this technology. The current frontrunner, IMHO, is NASA's Algae Omega project, to grow freshwater algae on sewage in membrane bags in the ocean. But there are serious problems. The one that isn't likely to be solved is the photosynthetic limit: plants just aren't very efficient at turning solar heat into chemical work. Yes, we will have more algae biofuels over time. No, this will not replace petroleum singlehandedly.
  • chopsueyar 16y ago
    What kind of yields can you get from the raceway method?