2. Algal Biology and Biomass Characteristics

Microalgae and macroalgae are the two most promising species of algae to use as feedstocks for the generation of biofuels; microalgae are especially preferred due to their high lipid content and photosynthetic efficiency. Microalgae have biomass rich in lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates and can grow in a variety of habitats, including freshwater and marine ecosystems. This makes them perfect for the production of biofuels like biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas. Artificial and natural water bodies are rich sources of algal biomass production. Algae are a sustainable alternative for bioenergy because of their capacity to grow in saline environments, wastewater, and non-arable land, which lessens competition with traditional food crops. Their ability to absorb nutrients and fix carbon dioxide at high rates makes them even more useful for environmental cleanup. Scalable options for producing biomass are provided by algal growing systems, which include closed photobioreactors, open ponds, and hybrid systems. Every technology has benefits; photobioreactors offer regulated conditions for increased productivity, while open ponds are more economical. To maximize biomass productivity and lipid accumulation, algal biofuel production must balance nutrient availability, reactor design, growing techniques, and environmental conditions. This chapter discusses the various algae species that can be used to produce biofuel, the properties of algal biomass, and the significance of water bodies as primary sources of algal development. Additionally, it looks at the growing techniques that maximize algal production for environmentally friendly energy sources.