Inquiry into Life 15th Edition by Sylvia Mader ,Michael Windelspecht

Exercise 2

Diesel Power from Algae
Algae are at the base of many food chains. But researchers are now using algae to produce a variety of different fuel types. Solazyme, a San Francisco-based company, has discovered the methods necessary to produce crude oil from various plant-based sugars with the help of microalgae (Fig. 8A). The process they have developed does not depend on the photosynthetic ability of the algae. It uses genetically modified algae grown in large vats. Instead of being exposed to sunlight, the algae are fed sugar that they convert into various types of oil. Different types of algae produce different types of oil. Because the algae are grown in the dark, the genes for photosynthesis have been switched off. With these genes turned off, the algae actually make more oil.
Algae-based biofuels are considered "green" fuels. These fuels can be used for a variety of purposes, but one of the more common is the production of biodiesel that can be used in cars and mass transportation systems. Some of the benefits of Solazyme-based fuels over traditional petroleum-based fuels are that they meet industry standards and can be used with factory-standard diesel engines without any type of modifications. Not just automobiles may be powered by these biofuels. In 2010, Solazyme delivered 80,000 liters of marine diesel and jet fuel to the U.S. Navy that was derived from algae-based production. In 2011, a United Airways jet conducted the first commercial flight powered by biofuels.
The oils produced by the algae are not only used for the production of fuel, but may also be used to manufacture cosmetics and food additives.
With the increasing concern over the effects of global climate change on the world's populations and ecosystems, many governments (both local and national) and private industries are looking to use biofuels as an alternative "green-energy" source. Currently, demand still outpaces the production abilities of the companies, but advances in technology and techniques will increasingly make biofuels an attractive alternate energy source.
Figure 8A Production of biodiesel from algae. The algae in these containers have the ability to produce a form of oil that can be used as a fuel.
Fossil fuels are still relatively cheap to extract and produce. What technology advances do you think are needed to make biodiesel cheaper to produce?