Why algae?
Producing biofuels from algae isn't a brand-new idea - the United States put a lot of effort into researching them as early as the 1970s, but didn't get very far. Now, because people are more concerned about climate change and energy security, algae are getting attention again.
Algae could be grown in huge ponds, or in water-filled tubes. All they need to start producing oil is light, food and CO2. Scientists are currently trying to figure out which species produce the most oil and are easiest to grow.
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It's proving difficult to make algae work on a large scale.
Image: Steve Jurvetson |
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