Will algae produce the green? Using published life cycle assessments as a starting point for economic evaluation of future algae-to-energy systems

Abstract

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has become an important tool for evaluating the environmental sustainability of proposed algae-to-energy systems. The rapidly evolving body of literature on this topic demonstrates several important lessons, which can be leveraged to evaluate the likely economic sustainability of future algae-derived energy sources. A review of previously published algae LCAs is presented alongside preliminary economic information for three different kinds of algae cultivation systems (open ponds, photobioreactors and algal turf scrubbers), to demonstrate the relevance of algae LCA lessons learned and also contextualize the discussion of LCA-based life cycle costing (LCC) as it pertains to algae. Particularly important LCC themes arising from examination of current algae LCAs include: the critical role of co-products, the need for enhanced uncertainty characterization and the possible benefits of a meta-analysis approach to standardizing LCA and LCC evaluation of algae-to-energy systems.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work is supported by the US National Science Foundation (CBET – 1067563), the Fund for Excellence in Science and Technology at the University of Virginia and the G Unger Vetlesen Foundation. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.