According to a peer-reviewed paper recently published in Bioresource Technology algae-derived biofuels can reduce CO2 emissions by 50%-70% compared to petroleum fuels and is nearing the same Energy Return on Investment (EROI) as petroleum fuels as well. The study examined data from two facilities operated by Saphire Energy in New Mexico that grow and process algae into Green Crude oil which can be refined and dropped into gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel. The authors found that at commercial scales of production algae-derived biofuels are projected to have lower CO2 emissions and EROI values comparable to first generation biofuels. Further, algae-derived biofuels will have an EROI value nearing that of petroleum and three times that of cellulosic ethanol. To read more about the findings:
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