2017 Algae Harmonization Study: Evaluating the Potential for Future Algal Biofuel Costs, Sustainability, and Resource Assessment from Harmonized Modeling

Ryan Davis, Andre Coleman, Mark Wigmosta, Jennifer Markham, Christopher Kinchin, Yunhua Zhu, Susanne Jones, Jeongwoo Han, Christina Canter, Qianfeng Li

Research output: NRELTechnical Report

Abstract

To present a more unified picture of the long-term future potential for algal biofuels and the goals that must be met to reach that potential, four algae modeling groups collaborated to harmonize respective models for resource assessment (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), techno-economic analysis (National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and life-cycle analysis (Argonne National Laboratory) of algal biomass production and conversion processes. In contrast to prior harmonization studies that this group has previously conducted, which focused on establishing benchmarks attributed to current performance at the time, the primary intent of the present harmonization study was to project these models to forward-looking targets that must be achieved to reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emission profiles to Bioenergy Technologies Office target levels, subject to specific location constraints imposed by resource assessment modeling and thus national-scale fuel output potential (i.e., billion gallons gasoline equivalent per year, or BGGE/yr). In all, while based on a number of aspirational goals not yet demonstrated but plausible to achieve over coming years, the harmonized outputs indicate promising potential for algal biofuels to make a significant contribution to the U.S. fuels market, based on substantial quantities of biomass (104-235 MM tons/yr) projected to be available at costs below $700/ton (generally below $500/ton for freshwater cultivation). While these costs are still significantly higher than terrestrial biomass cost targets, the propensity for capturing high fuel yields and/or high-value tailored coproducts from algal biomass is shown here to provide plausible paths to achieve future targets for cost and sustainability metrics at meaningful volumes.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages100
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/TP-5100-70715

Keywords

  • algal biofuels
  • harmonization
  • LCA
  • life-cycle analysis
  • resource assessment
  • TEA
  • techno-economic analysis

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