Int. Res. Adv. 2016, 3(1), 1-4 . Article . Integrated Research Advances Algal Biofuel: A boon for society in future to solve Energy crisis Prashant Singh, Satyam Bansal, Pratibha Singh, Roli Verma and R. S. Jagadish Department of chemistry, JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida, U.P, India Received on: 20-Feb-2016 Accepted and Published on: 5-Mar-2016 ABSTRACT Fossil fuel based energy resources (petroleum, coal and natural gas) are vanishing at a very faster rate to fulfill the demand of energy for growing population worldwide. So depletion of these resources will lead us to the chains of problems which may occur due to fuel shortage. It has been estimated that as per present uses, our coal reserves will be exhausted in 200 years and if we increase the use by 2%, then it will be vanished in 165 years. Therefore in such a condition sustainable and renewable energy resources are beneficial to solve the problem of energy crisis. Fortunately, our scientists have developed different categories of biodiesel as an alternative fuel to meet growing energy demands. In recent scenario, they are focused on the algae as a raw material for biodiesel and which may be proved as a boon for the society in future. Biofuels play a vital role in mitigating CO 2 emission, reducing global warming and bringing down the hike in oil prices. The biodegradable, renewable and non toxic nature of biodiesel has made it a recent attraction. The objective of the paper is to study the potential of microalgae as an alternative raw material for biodiesel generation that can be converted into fuel. Its easy availability, high mass productivity and faster lipid production have made it prior to all other alternatives for the raw material of biodiesel. Production of biodiesel from microalgae would be a greater alternative to oil crops due to economical instability, jeopardizing agricultural lands and insufficient oil crops. This article provide holistic review to enhance the production and commercialization of biodiesel by improving cultivation of different microalgal species, lipid content in various algal species, modes and efficiency of harvesting and trans-esterification methods. Keywords: Renewable fuel, algae, Biodiesel INTRODUCTION The serious problems of energy requirements have been created by burgeoning population and uncontrolled urbanization. 1 The world’s oil production is expected to decline in near future. These impending energy crisis have forced both governments and private industries to examine alternative sources of energy. Government organizations and major corporations are beginning to seriously invest in the biofuels market, in both research and commercial production; however, the many existing alternatives such as ethanol, hydrogen, and conventional biodiesel fail to be cost competitive with petroleum. 2 “The global biodiesel industry is among the fastest-growing markets the chemical industry has ever seen world capacity, production, and consumption of biodiesel grew on average by 32%/year during 2000-05, and the industry looks set for even faster growth rates”. 2 According to an investigation, possible results of policy support in developed and developing economies for developing algal biodiesel through to 2040. This investigation adopts the Taiwan General Equilibrium Model-Energy for Bio-fuels (TAIGEM-EB) to predict competition among the development of algal biodiesel, bioethanol and conventional crop-based biodiesel. Analytical results show that algal biodiesel will not be the major energy source in 2040 without strong support in developed economies. In contrast, bioethanol enjoys a development advantage relative to both forms of biodiesel. Finally, algal biodiesel will almost completely replace conventional biodiesel. CO 2 reduction benefits the development of the bio-fuels industry 3 . Other non-renewable sources of energy exist, such as coal and uranium; however, these sources are limited and will also inevitably decline in availability. The major disadvantages of using petroleum based fuel is atmospheric pollution by releasing greenhouse gases (GHG), other air contaminants including NOx, SOx,COs, volatile organic compounds, CO 2 , etc which are adversely affecting the environment. 4 So, in order to solve these problems our scientists have discovered algae as a raw material for biodiesel. Biodiesel can also be produced from edible sources, non-edible sources and waste oil apart from algae. Prashant Singh Email: raviprashant.987@gmail.com Cite as: Int. Res. Adv., 2016, 3(1), 1-4. ©IS Publications http://pubs.iscience.in/ira Integrated Research Advances Integr. Res. Adv., 2016, 3(1), 1-4 1