There are now a number or sources being used to produce biofuel. Corn, for example, is a major source for ethanol. However, as demand rises for corn, its price also rises causing the increase in prices of other foods. Moreover, some say that the production of corn ethanol presents pollution problems and distributing the stuff through conventional pipes is also a problem.
Recently researchers have been working with algae as a possible source for biofuels. And it seems to be working. The algae creates the stuff through natural means and also consume carbon dioxide. Some research projects are using algae to reduce the amount of carbon emissions of electrical plants as they produce biofuels.
More and more companies are beginning to recognize the benefits of using algae and developing production facilities including them. In addition, the federal government is starting to offer grants and tax incentives for the development of biofuels using algae.
Recently, SRI Consulting, a firm that studies the research of biofuel production, has released a study that shows that algae produces biofuels at a greater rate than conventional biofuel sources. Moreover, it said that the commercialization of the process of using algae to produce biofuel can dramatically reduce the amount of CO2 emitted into the environment each year.
Currently, however, the study found that the cost of making biofuel using algae is somewhat high — $10 a gallon. That is a bit too “prohibitive,” the study concludes.
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