| by N.S.Venkataraman
( February 16, 2013, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) World is now going through an unprecedented energy crisis and no one seems to be certain as to how the world would come out of the situation.
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The government of Sri Lanka should consider setting up dedicated research facilities for algae biofuel, with the target of developing adequate expertise with regard to technology and engineering practices for production of algae biofuel in the country in the next five years.
With no production of crude oil in Sri Lanka, it is expected that the import of crude oil will increase substantially in the next five years, if the GDP growth of around 6 to 7 per cent were to be sustained. While some efforts are now being put forth for oil exploration in Sri Lanka, the plans are in preliminary stage.
The net result of this scenario would be that Sri Lankan industry and economy would become highly vulnerable to international price and supply pressure for crude oil in the near future. To avoid this situation, the country has to urgently find an appropriate alternate source of energy in tune with the country’s strength, geographical conditions and the need.
Algae biofuel
Sri Lanka should urgently consider Algae biofuel as an alternative means of energy. More than 99 per cent of commercial algae biomass produced worldwide currently is mainly from seaweeds farmed near the seashore. Sri Lanka should not let go the opportunity to utilise the algae, that can be cultivated in large quantity in the Sri Lankan coastal regions. Algae can be used as a source for biofuel and bioethanol; apart from this, algae can also be used for the production of hydrogen (for use in fuel cells); and production of methane.
Already, more than one hundred firms across the world are working on cultivation and harvesting of algae biomass.The US Department of Energy’s (DOE), National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, envisages an important role for algae in the energy management in the coming years all over the world. U S Government is giving grant of around 30 million US dollars for conducting algae research in USA.
While large scale production for algae based biofuels is expected to start between now and 2020 in the developed countries, the work on development of technology and engineering practices for production of algae biofuel in Sri Lanka is still in a nascent stage.
The biggest challenge in algae biofuel production is cutting the cost which is estimated to run to more than $20 a gallon at present. Researchers are trying to figure out how to grow enough of the right strains of algae and how to extract the oil most efficiently. If the cost of production can be reduced, the advantages of algae, as it grows much faster and in less space than conventional energy crops, can be well harnessed.
Advantages for Sri Lanka
Algae is the third generation biofuel and can be an ideal solution for India’s impending fuel crisis, as Sri Lanka's long coastal region and tropical climate can facilitate the cultivation of algae in Sri Lanka in mass scale. This calls for strong and dedicated efforts from Government and industries.
So far no initiatives appear to have been taken by Government of Sri Lanka to promote research and development efforts on cultivation of algae and production of biofuel from algae in recent times. Algae biofuel represents a great opportunity.The challenges can be overcome by initiating necessary research and application development efforts on a priority basis.
The government of Sri Lanka should consider setting up dedicated research facilities for algae biofuel, with the target of developing adequate expertise with regard to technology and engineering practices for production of algae biofuel in the country in the next five years. This task is well within the capability of Sri Lankan scientists and technologists some of whom are doing excellent research work abroad and the government should facilitate appropriate conditions for initiating and carrying out the research efforts.
Sri Lanka should join the global race for research and development on algae biofuel and should not let go this opportunity that would enable the country to find a solution to its impending energy crisis.
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