Researchers Pooh-Pooh Algae-Based Biofuel

Julie188 writes "Researchers from the University of Virginia have found that current algae biofuel production methods consume more energy, have higher greenhouse gas emissions and use more water than other biofuel sources, such as switchgrass, canola and corn. The researchers suggest these problems can be overcome by situating algae production ponds behind wastewater treatment facilities to capture phosphorous and nitrogen — essential algae nutrients that otherwise need to come from petroleum."

Comments

Energy is conserved by law of physics

[LostCluster]

Funny thing about trying to power our cars and computers... the energy has got to from something somewhere. Electrons must come from mass... so even if electricity seems clean, it's coming from a power plant somewhere, and nobody wants to be next to nuclear or coal plants.

Hydrogen or plug-in systems seem clean, but those aren't energy sources, they're energy transport mechanisms. If we're going to stop using gas and oil, we're going to have to get more power from somewhere... again, who wants the plants to do that in their town?

Reserachers Pooh-Pooh Algae-Based Biofuel

[Yvan256]

Ok, but what about researchers?