Insights into Microalgae Biomass, and its use as a Renewable Source of Fuel and Other Resources
By Jane Marsh
Fighting the effects of climate change has made humans challenge their resourcefulness in more imaginative ways. Microalgae is one of those innovations changing the scope of the renewable resource landscape.
Renewables like wind work efficiently for creating energy, but humans need other renewable resources to fill every industry niche. With microalgae as a prospective game-changer in biomass, it could lead to the circular economy we need to obtain carbon neutrality.
Introducing Microalgae in Biomass Fuel
In short, biomass is composed of plant-based material, such as food waste or trees. Biomass can be used as fuel or for other purposes, creating a more circular option for countless industries, including cosmetics and technology.
Because biomass materials can be harvested through existing waste and grown indefinitely, it is one of the most renewable options on the market.
Harvesters collect and feed microalgae to turn them into renewable resources in aquacultures. The algae convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into oil-rich biomass, which is then extracted to create a medley of products.
Many equate the word “renewable” with energy. Humans seek solutions for renewable energy with microalgae, but we need renewable resources to complete other tasks, too, such as wastewater treatment and more sustainable technology.
Startups like Industrial Phycology are one of many currently exploring this concept to provide chemical-free solutions to treat water and recover biomass for other materials like fertilizers.
Certain microalgae store contaminants from polluted water as protein through photosynthesis, flourishing in water with minimal attention required. Algae like spirulina are easily harvested, which can produce materials for 3D printing, cosmetics, and animal feed, to name a few. This results in waste reduction in countless enterprises.
Making Microalgae a Commercial Resource
Microalgae renewables – from architecture to beauty products – have already impacted the commercial scene.
In Germany, the first algae-powered building stands covered in bio-skin – glass panels containing live microalgae powering all the building’s floors. While the algae feed, they create the energy to heat the building, around 3,500 kW/h. Then, harvesting biomass can generate more resources.
Aquaculture cultivates other aquatic life like fish and crustaceans, and microalgae as biomass can help sustainably feed these cultures. It’s essential to produce the microalgae in safer environments, consuming no toxic contaminants while growing – if workers monitor this correctly, the high protein content is excellent for boosting marine health.
One of the most promising prospects of microalgae is biofuel. Much like the process of treating wastewater, we nurture pools until it is thick and green with flourishing algae.
These algae are gathered and mixed with supplemental nutrients and chemicals to separate the oils. This oil could be made for transportation but also utilized in other industries as vegetable oil.
Benefitting From Microalgae Compared to Other Biomass
Other biomass energy sources like wood pellets are not ideal short-term solutions. Cutting down forests of old trees that sequester the atmosphere’s carbon is not a sustainable biomass practice if we put more emissions into the atmosphere from burning and cutting down wood.
Though it appears renewable because humans can replant forests, there are too many emissions released in the interim of a tree reaching full maturity. Microalgae is fast-growing and can help mitigate deforestation and the energy expended in the felling of trees.
Microalgae is also beneficial for human consumption. From immune health to cardiovascular health, specific algal species can impact humans for the better. This proves the potential of microalgae – if it’s refined and more widely studied, the applications could create more sustainable health care systems alongside every other sector that microalgae benefits.
One advantage is they do not require land to grow. Microalgae can grow in wastewater or saltwater – it doesn’t rely on salinity or purity. Therefore, soil health is not compromised while developing this resource. Essential farmlands remain intact, and microalgae occupy no space for future agricultural development.
Microalgae as the Future of Renewables
Because of its versatility, microalgae could reshape renewables. Humans can patch the gaps in efficiency over time through developments in other industries, such as more sustainable agriculture. The more research is performed, the more viable it becomes and the more likely humans will use it to power buildings and fertilize crops.
Author Bio:
Jane works as the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she covers environmental news and sustainable living tips.