Global Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessment of Algal-Based Biofuels

Quiroz, David; Greene, Jonah M.; Limb, Braden J.; Quinn, Jason C.

doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c02892

Global Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessment of Algal-Based Biofuels

Journal Article · Thu Jul 27 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c02892· OSTI ID:2467504

^[1]; Greene, Jonah M. ^[2]; Limb, Braden J. ^[2]; ^[2]

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (United States); Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, Arizona State University
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (United States)

Techno-economic analyses (TEAs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) of algal biofuels often focus on locations in suboptimal latitudes for algal cultivation, which can under-represent the sustainability potential of the technology. This study identifies the optimal global productivity potential, environmental impacts, and economic viability of algal biofuels by using validated biophysical and sustainability modeling. The biophysical model simulates growth rates of Scenedesmus obliquusbased on temperature, photoinhibition, and respiration effects at 6685 global locations. Region-specific labor costs, construction factors, and tax rates allow for spatially resolved TEA, while the LCA includes regional impacts of electricity, hydrogen, and nutrient markets across ten environmental categories. The analysis identifies optimal locations for algal biofuel production in terms of environmental impacts and economic viability which are shown to follow biomass yields. Modeling results highlight the global variability of productivity with maximum yields ranging between 24.8 and 27.5 g m^-2 d^-1 in equatorial regions. Environmental impact results show favorable locations tracked with low-carbon electricity grids, with the well-to-wheels global warming potential (GWP) ranging from 31 to 45 g CO_2eq MJ^-1 in South America and Central Africa. When including direct land use change impacts, the GWP ranged between 44 and 55 g CO_2eq MJ^-1 in these high-productivity regions. Low-carbon electricity also favors air quality and eutrophication impacts. The TEA shows that minimum algal fuel prices of $$\$$1.89$$-$$\$$2.15$ per liter of gasoline-equivalent are possible in southeast Asia and Venezuela. Furthermore, this discussion focuses on the challenges and opportunities to reduce fuel prices and the environmental impacts of algal biofuels in various global regions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States); Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (United States)

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

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008902; EE0008906; EE0008935

OSTI ID:: 2467504

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2563567

Journal Information:: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 31 Vol. 57; ISSN 0013-936X

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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