The current potential of algae biofuels in the United Arab Emirates

摘要

In spite of future uncertainties about industrial algae biofuel production, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to become "a world leader in biofuels from the algae industry by 2020" [101], thus joining major countries that have already started producing renewable energy and biofuels (biodiesel and bioethanol) from renewable sources, including algae. Although one of the world's largest crude oil exporters, the UAE already embarked on a nuclear program for civilian use and established the world's largest solar energy farm in order to diversify its energy sources and face the 'sustainability' of'renewable' energy challenges. This move was taken, in part, to combat climate change by absorbing atmospheric CO-(2)and to protect the environment. A newly established R&D center, MASDAR, is spearheading these efforts [1].