ALGAE AS BIOFUEL: A REVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS

Abstract

Algae have emerged as a promising renewable source for biofuel production due to their high growth rates, ability to sequester carbon dioxide, and capacity to produce large amounts of lipids suitable for biodiesel. This review explores the potential of algae-based biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels, highlighting their advantages such as sustainability, non-competition with food crops, and suitability for cultivation on non-arable land. However, several limitations hinder their commercial viability, including high production costs, challenges in large-scale cultivation and harvesting, and energy-intensive processing techniques. Advances in genetic engineering, cultivation systems, and biorefinery approaches offer potential solutions to these challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of algae biofuel technology, identifies key barriers, and suggests future research directions to enhance the economic and environmental feasibility of algae as a sustainable bioenergy resource.