In this post, I will be examining an article about the assessment of the economic and environmental performance of the microalgal biofuel production chain. The article reviews a study was done to focus on a microalgae-based biofuel in a low-carbon French grid scenario and to center on the hotspots in terms of CAPEX/OPEX, GHG emissions, energy demand, and environmental impacts.
Here are some of the main findings:
- The analysis was conducted by changing one input variable to its low or high value while keeping all other variables at their nominal values.
- Biofuel production cost is 1186 €/t, compared to a fossil fuel production cost of around 400€/t. From the CO2 reduction point of view, the cost is 194€/t CO2 treated, equal to 347€/t CO2 avoided.
- The most sensitive parameter was CAPEX depreciation, with the cultivation section being the most crucial.
- Switching from conventional fuel to microalgae-based biofuel results in a decrease in some impact categories but also increases others, such as mineral resources use, toxicity/ecotoxicity, water scarcity, land transformation/occupation, and ionizing radiation.
- Future research should focus on heat integration, nutrient reduction, alternative chemicals, and affordable blue or green hydrogen.
Thanks for tuning in and I'll post next month!
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