Sustainable Microalgae Cultivation: A Comprehensive Review of Open and Enclosed Systems for Biofuel and High Value Compound Production
Open accessAbstract
Microalgae have emerged as a promising feedstock for biofuels and high-value compounds, o ff ering potential solutions to global energy and resource challenges. This comprehensive review examines the latest advancements in microalgae cultivation technologies, focusing on both open systems and enclosed photobioreactors (PBRs). We analyze various configurations including open raceway ponds, tubular PBRs, flat panel PBRs, and novel designs such as the Light Exchange Bubble-column (LEB). The review encompasses key performance indicators such as biomass productivity, energy e ffi ciency, and water usage, as well as life cycle assessment (LCA) results for di ff erent cultivation systems. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities in scaling up microalgae production, the potential for integrating wastewater treatment and CO 2 mitigation, and the prospects of biorefinery approaches. By synthesizing recent research findings and identifying knowledge gaps, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future directions in sustainable microalgae cultivation for researchers, engineers, and policymakers in the field of renewable energy and biotechnology.
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Open cultivation systems are among the most conventional and economically accessible methods for microalgae production.
“Open cultivation systems is among the most conventional and economically accessible methods for microalgae production”
From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Zhang et al., 2024
Photobioreactors, while more expensive to set up, have potential for year-round cultivation, lower contamination risks, and increased production.
“While more expensive to set up, photobioreactors have the potential for year-round cultivation, lower contamination risks, and increased production [94].”
From Algal-Based Carbonaceous Materials for Environmental Remediation: Advances in Wastewater Treatment, Carbon Sequestration, and Biofuel Applications (2025) · cites this paper as [94]
PBRs offer superior control over light, temperature, and nutrient supply, leading to higher biomass yields and more consistent product quality.
“In contrast, PBRs offer superior control over parameters such as light, temperature, and nutrient supply, leading to higher biomass yields and more consistent product quality [94].”
From Algal-Based Carbonaceous Materials for Environmental Remediation: Advances in Wastewater Treatment, Carbon Sequestration, and Biofuel Applications (2025) · cites this paper as [94]
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González Fernández, L. A., Medellín Castillo, N. A., Sánchez Polo, M., Navarro Frómeta, A. E., & Vilasó Cadre, J. E. (2025) · Processes · doi:10.3390/pr13020556 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design
Schneider, A. T., Machado, R. L. S., Dutra, D. A., Machado, E. F., Dias, R. R., Deprá, M. C., Zepka, L. Q., & Jacob-Lopes, E. (2025) · Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology · doi:10.3389/fbioe.2025.1716473 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
- Authors
- Zhang, Q., Guan, Y., Zhang, Z., Dong, S., Yuan, T., Ruan, Z., & Chen, M.
- Affiliations
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- E3S Web of Conferences
- Publisher
- EDP Sciences
- Published
- 2024
- Volume
- 577
- Pages
- 01008
- ISSN
- 2267-1242 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4403340691
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 32.89
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- E3S Web of Conferences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Keywords
- microalgae cultivation, photobioreactors, raceway ponds, tubular photobioreactor, flat panel photobioreactor, biofuel production, value-added chemicals, biomass productivity, energy efficiency, water consumption, life cycle assessment, scale-up, wastewater treatment, CO2 emission reduction, biorefinery
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