ExxonMobile is a company leading the industry in the use of fossil fuels as the main source of energy. However, when they vetoed their recent shareholder resolution, they wanted to look into the possibility of going green. They are looking into possible technologies that could replace oil. From the popular renewable energy sources like solar and wind, their team of researchers is considering other alternatives as well. The world might not believe it, but their team of experts is considering using algae too.
What makes algae a good alternative? Much like how plants work to keep the balance in nature, algae absorb carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere too. It's the kind of matter that could survive in various water environments whether fresh or saltwater. It also allows itself to be cultivated in shallow pools that may be built-in regions where farmland is scarce. It does not need fertilizer to grow quickly and it is not affected by any pests too.
Critically, the algae and its form can provide for a healthy climate-friendly alternative as a possible energy resource. Whether it is to feed the cattle or fuel the airplane, there is hope that algae may be the key to putting an end to climate change, or to at least to getting everything together.
Microalgae is a microscopic kind of algae found to be a possible material that could be turned into biofuel. It is much like corn, sorghum and sugarcane -- all these materials can be biofuel as an alternative resource of energy. These materials are also considered almost neutral which means that they add little to no carbon emission present in the atmosphere. Curing the process of photosynthesis, the algae performs a process where it is able to fix the CO2 and turn it into fuel. The burning of such fuel will then return the carbon in the skies.
Solazyme, a biotech firm in San Francisco has been producing algae-based fuel for trucks, cars and Navy vessels. The company also promises to produce fuel that can also be used to fuel a jet, which research finds to be most promising for it could provide a greater range, lower maintenance costs and reduce carbon emissions altogether.
This is significant news as jet fuel is considered as one of the biggest sources of air pollution. Soon, algae as a form of diesel fuel would be a cheap alternative to compete with fossil fuels in the market. Boeing along with several Japanese airlines are working together to provide more algae-fueled flights in time for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Although the promise of algae as a form of food and fuel remains to face several hurdles for its full implementation and development, what is true at this time is that it presents what could be a good alternative to the burning of fossil fuels. Continued studies would help identify what else could be done.
