Driving toward sustainable algal fuels: A harmonization of techno-economic and life cycle assessments

Cruce, Jesse R.; Beattie, Audrey; Chen, Peter; Quiroz, David; Somers, Michael; Compton, Samuel; DeRose, Katherine; Beckstrom, Braden; Quinn, Jason C.

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2020.102169

Title: Driving toward sustainable algal fuels: A harmonization of techno-economic and life cycle assessments

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Algal Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.102169· OSTI ID:1761556

Cruce, Jesse R.; Beattie, Audrey; Chen, Peter; Quiroz, David; Somers, Michael; Compton, Samuel; DeRose, Katherine; Beckstrom, Braden; Quinn, Jason C.

Research efforts have investigated a range of system designs for algae growth and conversion into biofuels. The economic feasibility and environmental impact of these systems are frequently evaluated through techno-economic analyses (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA), which typically determine the levelized cost of fuel production in gallons of gasoline equivalent (MFSP, in $-gge^-1), global warming potential (GWP, in g CO₂-eq-MJ_fuel^-1), and net energy ratio (NER, unitless). While the outputs from these models seem comparable, the results often conceal the impact of a large number of assumptions inherent to the modeling, limiting direct comparisons. As such, a direct comparison of the modeling results as published can be misleading due to differences in critical assumptions and/or foundational methodology. This work applies harmonization methodology to several sustainability assessment studies found in the literature with the goal of enhancing comparability through implementation of a standard set of assumptions. For the economic evaluation, two harmonization efforts were performed: the first focused on harmonizing productivity, economic assumptions, and cost year for the entire growth to product process; the second compared only downstream fuel conversion technologies by fixing the biomass cost, thereby removing the uncertainty of upstream-growth assumptions. For LCA, harmonization focused on productivity and system boundary. The results of these efforts show a decrease of 43% in the range of reported fuel prices and minimal redcution in the range of LCA results. Both TEA and LCA harmonization efforts then investigated the impact of productivity by simulating a range of biomass productivity values (12.5, 25, and 50 g-m^-2 day^-1). The work reveals limitations to both the economic and environmental benefits of productivity improvements past approximately 35 g-m^-2 day^-1. Results highlight the need to redirect research efforts not only to increase productivities, but also to other areas where investments can make a greater impact in terms of economic viability and environmental impact.

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Research Organization:: Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States); Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007562; EE0008515; FE0029623; EE0008245

OSTI ID:: 1761556

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1785346; OSTI ID: 1873418

Journal Information:: Algal Research, Journal Name: Algal Research Vol. 54 Journal Issue: C; ISSN 2211-9264

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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