By Jessica Cooper*
*This article was written by Jessica Cooper, and selected as the winning essay for the EnergyRates.ca College Scholarship 2025. Cooper is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree in the Integrated Business and Humanities Program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.
Imagine a tiny, unassuming plant floating in the vast, shimmering ocean, a humble alga. For centuries, it has quietly played its part in nature, absorbing sunlight, taking carbon dioxide, and nourishing marine life. What if this simple organism held the key to a future where energy is clean, sustainable, and abundant? In a world seeking alternatives to fossil fuels, algae have begun to emerge not just as a biological specimen but as a powerhouse of potential.
The transition to biofuels began over the last decade, with crops like corn, rapeseed, and sugarcane emerging as the primary sources for biofuel production (McFadden, 2023). Biofuels offer a promising solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, the cultivation of biofuel crops is not without its challenges, as it contributes to emissions through land clearance, fertilizer use, and the displacement of other essential crops, which can threaten food security (Leung, 2019). While traditional biofuel production methods pose their own environmental and societal concerns, algae as a source of biofuel presents an exciting and more sustainable alternative.
Algae offers numerous environmental advantages, including efficient carbon capture, water conservation, and minimal land use. When cultivated for biofuel production, algae absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter. This process not only reduces CO2 levels but also positions algae as a highly effective means of sequestering carbon. Research indicates that microalgae can capture up to 100 gigatons of CO2 annually. Furthermore, when algae-based biofuels are burned, the CO2 released is equivalent to the amount absorbed during their growth, rendering the fuel potentially carbon-neutral (Olariu, 2023). Algae’s ability to thrive in saltwater, wastewater, and non-arable land further alleviates pressure on freshwater resources (Olariu, 2023). Also, algae can be grown in compact spaces or on land unsuitable for traditional agriculture, reducing competition for valuable land.
Under the right circumstances, algae have the potential to produce up to 60 times more oil per acre than land-based plants (U.S. Department of Energy, 2015). Advanced processes allow the production of algae-derived oils to be refined into a range of fuels and products, including biodiesel, marine-grade diesel, and jet fuel, all of which can be tailored for specific applications. Algae biofuels are compatible with existing infrastructure and can be used in standard engines without modifications (Cox, 2021). Many flights have utilized mixed petroleum and algal-based oils to power trips, such as the United Airlines flight 2011(Korosec, 2011).
While current economic challenges, such as high production costs, hinder the scalability of algal biofuel production, the potential of this renewable energy source remains extraordinary. To unlock its full promise, continued research, innovation, and investment are essential to overcoming these obstacles. With advances in technology, economies of scale, and collaboration across industries to address current challenges, algae-based biofuels have the potential to become a crucial component in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and contributing significantly to long-term energy sustainability.
Works Cited
3 reasons we’re closer to an algae future than you think | Department of Energy. U.S. Department of Energy. (2015, July 29). https://www.energy.gov/articles/3-reasons-were-closer-algae-future-you-think
Cox, C. (2021, March 11). Transitioning to a sustainable bioeconomy with algae biofuels and biomaterials – policy directions for 2021 and Beyond. Algae Biomass Organization. https://algaebiomass.org/blog/11203/transitioning-to-a-sustainable-bioeconomy-with-algae-biofuels-and-biomaterials-policy-directions-for-2021-and-beyond/
Korosec, K. (2011, November 7). Algae jet fuel helps Power United Airlines flight. ZDNET. https://www.zdnet.com/article/algae-jet-fuel-helps-power-united-airlines-flight/
Leung, F. (2019, December 2). Algal biofuel: The answer to independence from fossil fuels?. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/algal-biofuel-the-answer-to-independence-from-fossil-fuels/
McFadden, C. (2023, August 15). 7 important biofuel crops that we use for fuel production. Interesting Engineering. https://interestingengineering.com/lists/seven-biofuel-crops-use-fuel-production
Olariu, A. (2023, August 23). The use of algae to reduce CO2 emissions: Anávo. Anavo. https://www.anavo.com/learn/the-use-of-algae-to-reduce-co2/
