Progress of microalgae biofuel's commercialization

Algae is a potent renewable source with the favorable characteristics. However, there are still many barriers in the related theory, techniques and industrialization, which lead to the high cost of the algae biofuel. This paper reviewed the process of the microalgae biofuel's commercial process. Investigated the barriers of the technologies especially the energy-extensive part and the pilot scale test which is the crucial part of the process. The policy supports of American, EU and China for microalgae biofuel industry and the effect of them was summarized at this paper. Numbers of pilot scale program has launched in the support of the government and the private investment, while there is still some distance from scale up production. Algae fundamental biology research, co-products' production to make profits in short term, and support from government are key strategies of algae commercialization.