Let's Go Green, Literally!

http://www.biq-wilhelmsburg.de/energiekreislauf/energiekonzept.html

http://www.iba-hamburg.de/en/themes-projects/the-building-exhibition-within-the-building-exhibition/smart-material-houses/biq/projekt/biq.html

There are papers that have looked into the use obtaining biofuels from algae. Borowitzka and Moheimani, discuss in their paper, Sustainable biofuels from algae, issues of sustainability of commercial-scale microalgae production of biofuels. They focus on the requirements of land, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide needed for very large scales of microalgae cultures in order to produce biofuels. They also look into the effects of using genetically modified algae. Algae produce up to five times as much biomass per hectare as terrestrial plants, which make it an ideal organism to use for biofuel. Naturally, when people think about going green and finding better ways to create renewable energy, they usually think about the sun and solar panels. That is what we see in the media of country’s starting to use solar energy, Germany having the highest installed capacity thus far. Well the Germans seem to have the right idea of going green; they are the first to build an entire building with algae-filled walls. This building is known as the BIQ, and contains 15 apartments whose energy source is created by the algae in the walls. This can eventually lead to higher production of biofuels, and decrease the use of oil production and pollution. Imagine a world where buildings, cars, planes, and all electronics produce their own energy.

Reference:
Borowitzka, M.A. & Moheimani, N.R. Mitig. (2013). Sustainable biofuels from algae. Adapt Strateg Glob Change. 18: 13. doi:10.1007/s11027-010-9271-9