The production of algae biofuel at scale is petroleum dependent because of its absolute dependence on using NPK fertilizers – just as our foods are dependent on NPK. If an at scale biofuel industry did develop current estimates predict that it would consume four times the NPK that our foods do, and turn the NPK and food markets on their head.s Algae’s dependency on NPK and NPK’s dependency on petroleum for its production make algae a non-starter sustainability wise and has the potential of up ending the current economic paradigms regarding energy and food.

Algae biofuel produced from wastes is a good idea, but the reality is given the logistical, spatial, climatic (light levels and seasonality) limitations required for siting algae production with waste sources – it’s potential is to supply less than 1-3% of energy needs according to several studies. While that is still a significant amount of energy, it isn’t any where close to the level of energy that algae biofuel promoters are waving before our scientifically illiterate gov. and the public.

In the long run the primary beneficiaries of algae biofuel commercialization are the fertilizer and petroleum companies which it is dependent upon – follow the money. Ultimately we will all pay for this non-sustainable energy source through drastically increased fuel and food costs – at least those of us can still afford these commodities.