Towards Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Microalgae Biofuels for a Greener Future

Abstract

Bioenergy productions from microalgae have received wide attention recently and have a high potential to replace fossil fuels. Moreover, due to the high photosynthetic efficiency, microalgae mass cultivation and scale-up are believed to efficiently reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. This review article explores the potential of microalgae as a reliable and sustainable source of bioenergy feedstock. The current review article contains an in-depth discussion of the various methods of producing energy using microalgae, viz. algal fuel cell (AFC), microbial fuel cell (MFC), bioethanol and biodiesel, and various other applications. This article discussed the different aspects of AFC and MFC, such as fuel cell configurations, reaction mechanisms at electrodes, reactor design factors affecting the efficiencies, and strategies to enhance the efficiencies. Moreover, microalgae cultivation, value-added compounds (pigments, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids), liquid fuel production, limitations, the global scenario of microalgae biomass-based energy, and significant advancements in this field. In a nutshell, this review serves as a valuable resource for identifying, developing, and harnessing the potential of microalgae as a promising biofuel source.

Axenic green microalgae for the treatment of textile effluent and the production of biofuel: a promising sustainable approach

“…Consequently, the production of renewable biofuels has gained substantial attention worldwide. Cultivating microalgae through the phycoremediation method offers a cost-effective and efficient solution to address these challenges (Ugya et al 2023 ; Singh et al 2023a , b ). Phycoremediation utilizes macro- or microalgae to reduce or transform pollutants found in wastewater, including harmful substances and nutrients (Vasistha et al 2023 ).…”

“…For the treatment of TWW, physiochemical techniques including coagulation, flocculation, adsorption, and membrane technology are frequently used; however, these techniques are costly, time-consuming, energy-intensive, and produce huge volumes of sludge that must be post-treated before disposal. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing microalgae for the biological treatment of TWW (Singh et al 2023a , b ; Hashmi et al 2023 ). The sustainable production of substantial biomass from untreated TWW not only aids in wastewater disposal but also offers practical opportunities for wastewater treatment and biodiesel production (Fazal et al 2018 ; Oyebamiji et al 2019 ).…”

Life Cycle Assessment of Exopolysaccharides and Phycocyanin Production with Arthrospira platensis

“…Moreover, the utilization of algae in producing high-value compounds presents an avenue for climate change mitigation, reducing reliance on traditional energy-intensive production methods [9,10]. Algae-based biofuels hold promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to renewable energy alternatives [11][12][13]. Onyeaka et al (2021) highlight the carbon sequestration potential of algae, emphasizing their role in carbon capture and storage initiatives [10].…”