Techno-Economic Analysis of Biofuel Production from Macroalgae (Seaweed)

Abstract

A techno-economic evaluation of bioenergy production from macroalgae was carried out in this study. Six different scenarios were examined for the production of different energy products and by-products. Seaweed was produced either via the longline method or the grid method. Final products of these scenarios were either ethanol from fermentation, or electricity from anaerobic digestion (AD). By-products were digestate for AD, and animal feed, or electricity and digestate, for the fermentation pathway. Bioenergy breakeven selling prices were investigated according to the cost components and the feedstock supply chain, while suggestions for potential optimization of costs were provided. The lowest production level of dry seaweed to meet 0.93 ($/L) for ethanol fuel and 0.07 $/kW-h for electricity was found to be 0.68 and 3.7 million tonnes (dry basis), respectively. At the moment, biofuel production from seaweed has been determined not to be economically feasible, but achieving economic production may be possible by lowering production costs and increasing the area under cultivation.

Estimation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reduction by utilization of algal biomass bioplastic in Malaysia using carbon emission pinch analysis (CEPA)

“…There are two types of algae, namely microalgae and macroalgae (also known as seaweed). It is already well known that microalgae have higher lipid content compared to macroalgae, but their cultivation and harvesting is more difficult [22]. This study will focus more on the utilization of macroalgae or seaweed, as an alternative to produce a larger quantity of bioplastic.…”

A Retrospective Review of Global Commercial Seaweed Production—Current Challenges, Biosecurity and Mitigation Measures and Prospects

“…The conversion of seaweed into biofuel such as bio-alcohols (ethanol and butanol) and biodiesel is made possible through the breakdown and conversion of the phytochemical components and the use of microbial fermentation [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Biofuel yields vary significantly across different seaweed species, fermentative microorganisms, and the technology employed, which directly affects conversion efficiency and cost, slowing down the efforts to realize a more feasible commercial-scale production [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. However, there is a significant market potential for green biodegradable packaging material that seaweed can provide.…”

The Use of Invasive Algae Species as a Source of Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities: Spain as Case-Study

“…These organisms do not contain lignin, thus they are good substrates for biogas production in anaerobic digesters, while fermentable carbohydrates are fit for bioethanol production. Although the production of bioenergy from macroalgae is not economically feasible nowadays, several measures have been proposed to achieve a rational production cost in the future [ 16 ]. On the other hand, microalgae are considered a more suitable source to produce biodiesel due to the greater ease of controlling the life cycle and increasing the reproduction rate [ 17 ].…”