Driving toward sustainable algal fuels: A harmonization of techno-economic and life cycle assessments

摘要: Abstract Research efforts have investigated a range of system designs for algae growth and conversion into biofuels. The economic feasibility environmental impact these systems are frequently evaluated through techno-economic analyses (TEA) life-cycle assessment (LCA), which typically determine the levelized cost fuel production in gallons gasoline equivalent (MFSP, $-gge−1), global warming potential (GWP, g CO2-eq-MJfuel−1), net energy ratio (NER, unitless). While outputs from models seem comparable, results often conceal large number assumptions inherent to modeling, limiting direct comparisons. As such, comparison modeling as published can be misleading due differences critical and/or foundational methodology. This work applies harmonization methodology several sustainability studies found literature with goal enhancing comparability implementation standard set assumptions. For evaluation, two were performed: first focused on harmonizing productivity, assumptions, year entire product process; second compared only downstream technologies by fixing biomass cost, thereby removing uncertainty upstream-growth LCA, productivity boundary. show decrease 43% reported prices minimal redcution LCA results. Both TEA then simulating values (12.5, 25, 50 g-m−2 day−1). reveals limitations both benefits improvements past approximately 35 g-m−2 day−1. Results highlight need redirect research not increase productivities, but also other areas where investments make greater terms viability impact.