Sustainability of Large-Scale Algal Biofuel Production in India

Abstract

Algal biofuels are poised to become one of the sustainable
sources of biofuels that could potentially replace petroleum derived fuels (PDF) in an environmentally friendly and sustainable world. In many parts of the developing world, algal biofuels as biodiesel and biomethane, like the first generation biofuels of the recent past, will compete for prime land as well as other water and nutrient resources currently used for providing food security. Within India, current analyses suggest that sustainable cultivation of various algal species for biofuels are possible at four locations:
a. In paddy fields as a multi-tier crop (3.6 Mha)
b. In saline brackish region of Kachch (Gujarat; 3.0 Mha),
c. Urban domestic waste water (40 billion L/d), and
d. On fishery deficient seashores (c.3 Mha).
In order to realize a near complete substitution of the current level of fossil fuels by algal biofuels, although feasible through algal biofuels, a whole lot of decentralized algae harvesting and primary processing infrastructure needs to be set up to ensure that algal production, processing and resource recycling can occur with low losses and increased sustainability. The coupling of energy generation with wastewater treatment and consequent nutrient uptake addresses the issues of environment, low emissions, biofuel production and therefore long term sustainability. This paper brings out challenges in the areas of sustainability and sustainable development that are likely to emerge in the three tracts where large scale algal cutivation and processing is feasible.