Algae As An Alternative Fuel
Everyone is looking for an alternative to fuel that harms the environment, costs too much and holds the country hostage to the handful of countries that control fuel supplies. There are numerous ideas being considered.
As the presidential election inches closer, we are hearing about everything from drilling to ethanol to natural gas. Of course, any of the alternatives to fossil fuels would require major adjustments – and possibly major costs – to the vehicles that these fuels are made for.
There are, however, some alternative fuels that have not been mentioned much and that many of us do not know much about. Algae is the basis for one of those bio-fuels.
According to researchers, algae can be grown inexpensively and it can be grown in areas that are unfit for crops. As a result, crops that are raised for human or animal consumption would not be affected by the growth of algae, which has been a concern when dealing with using crops for the development of ethanol.
Experts in the Department of Energy and in the Bio-Fuel industry estimate that algae for fuel can yield up to 30 times more energy per acre than soybeans and other crops, thus using less land for higher results. In addition, there are thousands of types of algae world wide that could be adapted to be grown and harvested for fuel.
Algae is extremely rich in oil and scientists have been able to isolate the types of algae that have the most oil and the best suitability to be used for fuel. Extensive research has been done from the 1970s through late 1990s, especially during the Carter administration. In fact, there are existing patents for using algae as a base for fuel. Funding and budget shortages ended research at that time.
There is good news, however. With all eyes on the fuel crisis, there are three U.S. studies being performed regarding the viability of using algae to create alternative fuel. Additionally, there are studies being performed in Japan, Australia and other countries involving major oil companies.
Algae may very well be a big part of the solution to the fuel crisis affecting the U.S. and the world. Though there are no immediate answers and though it will probably take a combination approach, algae could alleviate a substantial part of the fuel crisis at a reasonable cost, and the good news is that it is available everywhere.