Life Cycle Assessment of the Microalgae Biofuel Value Chain: A critical review of existing studies

摘要

Innovation towards a scalable and viable microalgae industry for renewable and sustainable bioenergy is greatly assisted by the application of life cycle assessment as a benchmarking tool to guide the process. This work examines existing studies in the field that have attempted to assess either the environmental impact and/or commercial viability of the microalgae value chain. Existing literature tends to omit established conventions of life cycle assessment practice, and/or lacks a common approach to boundary definition, functional units and impact assessment that would enable more effective comparison of options. A move towards a 'level playing field' methodology would enable strategic prioritization of research efforts to emerge that could lead to more rapid development of preferred products, cultivation and harvesting technologies, and downstream processing pathways.