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Current US algae biorefineries, projects and perspectives

Olivares, José A.

Abstract

Large challenges remain to take advantage of algae (cyanobacteria, microalgae, and macroalgae) as a bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts crop. Traditional applications in the nutraceutical and food industry, have shown more promise. New efforts in combining a biorefinery approach with wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and biomass utilization are becoming more popular and successful towards providing a middle ground for implementation of algae cultivation systems. An overview will be provided of the growth in fundamental and applied algae research in recent years, which will include a review of the scientific literature and key programs in bioenergy in the US leading to a resurgence and interest in algae. With this presentation, a discussion will ensue on the challenges being tackled to make the algae biorefinery a viable industry, including progress and opportunities available to develop algae as a key crop for the bioenergy and the bioproducts industries.

Full text

Current US algae biorefineries, projects and perspectives JOSÉ A. OLIVARES, currently at IMDEA Energía and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, jolivares.bus[email protected]om Large challenges remain to take advantage of algae (cyanobacteria, microalgae, and macroalgae) as a bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts crop. Traditional applications in the nutraceutical and food industry, have shown more promise. New efforts in combining a biorefinery approach with wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and biomass utilization are becoming more popular and successful towards providing a middle ground for implementation of algae cultivation systems. An overview will be provided of the growth in fundamental and applied algae research in recent years, which will include a review of the scientific literature and key programs in bioenergy in the US leading to a resurgence and interest in algae. With this presentation, a discussion will ensue on the challenges being tackled to make the algae biorefinery a viable industry, including progress and opportunities available to develop algae as a key crop for the bioenergy and the bioproducts industries.