US-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC II), Algae Scope

Based on preliminary work performed at the University of Kentucky and at Duke Energy's East Bend Station, and associated techno-economic analyses, it is evident that the capture and recycle of carbon dioxide using microalgae is feasible from a technical standpoint; however, significant barriers must be overcome before this approach to CO2 mitigation is economically viable [1]. Work to date has identified two key challenges. First, the cost of CO2 capture has to be substantially reduced, particularly with respect to the capital costs of the algae cultivation system employed. Second, high volume applications must be developed for the algal biomass product in order to maximize its value (thereby off-setting the cost of CO2 capture).