PLANTS AND ALGAE SPECIES: PROMISING RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION SOURCE

Abstract

Rapid increase in fossil energy consumption has raised price and environmental issues such as carbon dioxide emission, environmental pollution, depletion of ozone layer. Attempts are being made to reduce carbon dioxide emission from fossil fuels. Biomass is recognized as an important source for renewable energy production, known for emitting low quantity carbon dioxide and methane. Moreover, carbon dioxide is utilized in algae cultivation for biofuel production. Plants have become major source for biofuel production, which varies widely depending on crop type and yield per hectare, production systems, and conversion efficiency across crops. Certainly, high yielding biomass per hectare producing crops would be well suited in cost effective manner. Different processes of biofuel production from some major energy crops including sugarcane, sorghum, and algae will be discussed, especially bio-ethanol and bio-diesel.