This University of Virginia Algae study, authored by Andres Clarens, has been discredited by the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), centered in San Diego, a scientific hotbed for advanced algae production.

Their critique of the study found numerous false assumptions. The study used outdated raceway ponds and old methods that are no longer used. The study hypothetically assumed bad results, because it falsely assumed that CO2 would be shipped-in, rather than co-locating algae production adjacent to a source of waste CO2. Thus, the study did Not credit algae for mitigation.

In reality, algae is already being integrated into a variety of waste CO2 sources: Power plants, sewage and digester effluent, food processing waste water, manure effluent from dairy farms, poultry farms, hog farms and livestock feedlots, and corn ethanol refineries, etc..

The study also distorted the type of water that would be used to grow algae. It hypothetically modeled algae production that was Not co-located with a source of waste water. In real life, algae is being integrated with all types of waste water. But the study omitted environmental credits for its disposal, and for mitigating pollutants.

For example, algae production integrated with corn ethanol waste CO2, waste water effluent “centrate”, and waste heat is already in the experimental stage at a Green Plains ethanol plant. There are many other integrated and co-located algae projects. But instead, the study used the outdated baseline, which is Not integrated and Not co-located with waste CO2 and waste water.

The ABO also says in their response, that the study uses unrealistic assumptions for nutrient use, energy use, and the purchase of CO2 and fertilizer. This throws the data way off and leads to false conclusions:

“Even with the scientific shortcomings of the survey, it shows that with a few improvements, algae is much better than terrestrial plants as a fuel source. The truth is that the algae industry is already well beyond the obvious improvements these authors suggest, and as we add these new efficiencies, algae will become much more environmentally beneficial.”
—Dr. Stephen Mayfield, director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology

See “Algal Biomass Organization Questions Findings of Recent Algae Life Cycle Study”:

“ABO said that the report was based upon obsolete data and “grossly outdated” business models, and overlooked tremendous improvements in technology and processes across the production cycle.” (Green Car Congress)