Research Article

Sustainable Algae Biodiesel Production in Cold Climates

Table 5

Summary of average sustainability metrics to compare algae and soy BD production.

Scenario

Environmental ImpactGreenhouse Nat. Gas, SyracuseGreenhouse Nat. Gas, AlbanyGreenhouse w/waste heat, SyracuseGreenhouse w/waste heat, AlbanyInsulated, no nat. lightSoy biodiesel production

Total life cycle energy Consumption (MJ/L of BD)232116152221
Land utilization (m2/L of BD/yr)0.0530.0480.0530.0480.04022.2

Water Consumption (L water/L BD)5–75–75–75–74–66,500

Greenhouse gas emissions
(g equiv/L of BD)
13501150740630910925

Acidification potential
(g  eq./L of BD)
4.94.62.82.53.44.0

Toxic Emissions
(g /L of BD)
PM 105.14.62.62.35.75.3
PM 2.51.81.60.70.61.82.7
VOC0.220.200.060.050.093.4
CO2.42.10.60.51.02.8

does not include credits.