Algae is perhaps the most promising of all the feedstocks for the production of biofuels in terms of the sheer volume of oil it could produce.  If research proves true, the volume of oil it could produce dwarfs that of other feedstocks.  Lab scale research indicates that first-generation algae production could produce 4,000 gallons of oil per acre  - versus 50 to 100 gallons for other oil crops.  Scientists believe that amount could be doubled to 10,000 gallons or more per acre - the catch?  It hasn't been proven at scale and research into algae as a feedstock has shown only promise and no large-scale viability - yet.

Quick Facts

• Some species of algae could be ideally suited to biodiesel production due to their high oil content (some well over 50% oil), and extremely fast growth rates.
• Algae can be grown on marginal land, so they would not compete with food crops.   They can also be grown in saltwater and wastewater.
• Over the long-term, algae cultivation facilities also have the potential to absorb or 'capture’ waste CO2 directly from industrial facilities such as power plants.
• Algae can grow as much as 100 times faster than agricultural crops.