Could Algae be a potential Bio-Fuel?

Ford is looking into alternative fuels to power their vehicles. Ford researchers are working hard to understand if algae could be a potential sustainable resource in the production of bio-fuels for the auto industry.

The way it works is that the characteristics of algae gives it potential to be a bio-fuel feedstock and certain types of algae have the ability to efficiently convert carbon dioxide to oil, carbohydrates and other cell components through photosynthesis. Also algae can be grown in a vast number of differing environments including fresh or saline water. Algae has the ability to double in volume daily and be collected year-round, a distinct advantage over other bio-fuel feedstock such as soybeans and corn, which commonly produce just one harvest over the year. 


Currently, the algae researchers are looking for economical and sustainable ways to develop commercial-scale production and the maintenance of high oil-producing algae. The main benefit of using bio-fuels over fossil fuels will be found in the ability to stop relying on the fossil fuel producers and then produce bio-fuel from a renewable resource.