TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States SN - 978-0-309-26032-9 DO - 10.17226/13437 PY - 2012 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13437/sustainable-development-of-algal-biofuels-in-the-united-states PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Energy and Energy Conservation KW - Environment and Environmental Studies KW - Biology and Life Sciences AB - Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy. ER -