Techno-economic evaluation of microalgae high-density liquid fuel production at 12 international locations
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Abstract Background Microalgae-based high-density fuels offer an efficient and environmental pathway towards decarbonization of the transport sector and could be produced as part of a globally distributed network without competing with food systems for arable land. Variations in climatic and economic conditions significantly impact the economic feasibility and productivity of such fuel systems, requiring harmonized technoeconomic assessments to identify important conditions required for commercial scale up. Methods Here, our previously validatedTechno-economic and Lifecycle Analysis(TELCA) platform was extended to provide a direct performance comparison of microalgae diesel production at 12 international locations with variable climatic and economic settings. For each location, historical weather data, and jurisdiction-specific policy and economic inputs were used to simulate algal productivity, evaporation rates, harvest regime, CapEx and OpEx, interest and tax under location-specific operational parameters optimized for Minimum Diesel Selling Price (MDSP, US$ L−1). The economic feasibility, production capacity and CO2-eqemissions of a defined 500 ha algae-based diesel production facility is reported for each. Results Under a for-profit business model, 10 of the 12 locations achieved a minimum diesel selling price (MDSP) under US$ 1.85 L−1/ US$ 6.99 gal−1. At a fixed theoretical MDSP of US$ 2 L−1(US$ 7.57 gal−1) these locations could achieve a profitable Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.5–22.1%. Under a public utility model (0% profit, 0% tax) eight locations delivered cost-competitive renewable diesel at an MDSP of < US$ 1.24 L−1(US$ 4.69 gal−1). The CO2-eqemissions of microalgae diesel were about one-third of fossil-based diesel. Conclusions The public utility approach could reduce the fuel price toward cost-competitiveness, providing a key step on the path to a profitable fully commercial renewable fuel industry by attracting the investment needed to advance technology and commercial biorefinery co-production options. Governments’ adoption of such an approach could accelerate decarbonization, improve fuel security, and help support a local COVID-19 economic recovery. This study highlights the benefits and limitations of different factors at each location (e.g., climate, labour costs, policy, C-credits) in terms of the development of the technology—providing insights on how governments, investors and industry can drive the technology forward. Graphic abstract
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In a technical-economic analysis, Roles et al. (2021) demonstrated that the valorization of these compounds in the production chain can significantly reduce the minimum selling price of the product, making them more competitive in relation to conventional resources, especially when integrated with favorable geographic conditions and efficient cultivation systems.
“In a technical-economic analysis, Roles et al. (2021) demonstrated that the valorization of these compounds in the production chain can significantly reduce the minimum selling price of the product, making them more competitive in relation to conventional resources, especially when integrated with favorable geographic conditions and efficient cultivation systems.”
From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Roles et al., 2021
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- Authors
- Roles, J., Yarnold, J., Hussey, K., & Hankamer, B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Hankamer, Ben
- Venue
- Biotechnology for Biofuels
- Published
- 2021-06-07
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 133-133
- ISSN
- 1754-6834 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8183327
- OpenAlex
- W3167877219
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 2.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Biotechnology for Biofuels (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Australian Research Council (LP150101147, LP180100269)
- 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
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Keywords
- techno-economic analysis, renewable diesel, CO2 equivalent emissions, algal productivity, transport decarbonization, carbon credits
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