The authors find that the main barriers to large-scale deployment of both macro- and micro-algae, include high demands of key resources for algal growth (such as nutrients, water and CO2), difficulty in maintaining selected species with high productivity content in outdoor culture, as well as high energy requirements and costs of algal production and conversion into biofuels. Additionally, it is difficult to find land with suitable characteristics for algae growth and there are technical challenges of scaling up lab/pilot projects and cost effectiveness. Hence, the present technology to convert algae into biofuels is in an undeveloped state.… Login to continue

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