Current research and perspectives of microalgal biofuels in Australia

Abstract

With an increased awareness of finite fossil-fuel resources and the associated environmental problems, there is mounting interest for renewable biofuel sources, such as those from highly productive microalgae. Based on its unique geographical location, climatic conditions, availability of large arid land areas, access to seawater and political stability, Australia has been identified as a potential location for scaling up algae to biofuel production. At present, a number of pilot research activities have been supported by the Australian government as well as private companies or investors with significant investments. This article provides examples of current research and microalgae pilot plants in the field of microalgal biofuels in Australia – highlighting the short- and long-term perspectives of algal biofuel development.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank their Australian colleagues for their advice and information on recent developments of their research and apologize to any colleagues whose important contributions to this field could not be mentioned here due to space limitations.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council and the Russell Group of Companies. 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.