Microalgae bioenergy with carbon capture, utilization and storage: A sustainable technology to net-negative emissions and circular economy

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0961953426004885

Authors: Chao-Wen Wang, Kai Ling, Hwai Chyuan Ong, Brandon Han Hoe Goh, Cheng-Tang Pan

15 April 2026

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109413

Highlights

•The integration of thermo-biochemical technology to optimize biomass energy.

•Microalgae fix over 66 Gt CO2/year enabling viable industrial carbon capture.

•Microalgae BECCUS employs flue gas and wastewater for biomass energy valorization.

•Microalgae support circular bioeconomy via CO2 fixation and energy utilization.

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are vital tools in the global effort to mitigate climate change, primarily by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industrial and energy sectors. While conventional CCS methods may achieve net-zero emissions, integrating microalgae biological systems offers a viable pathway to achieve net-negative emissions. Microalgae-based bioenergy with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (BECCUS) leverages photosynthetic CO2 fixation to produce biomass that can be converted into biofuels and other value-added products. This comprehensive review provides an overview of current microalgae bioenergy conversion in thermochemical and biochemical technologies, and their integration with BECCUS framework within a circular bioeconomy context. Despite the potential for microalgae-based technologies in bioenergy production and negative-emission strategies, most microalgae-based BECCUS systems remain at the pilot or demonstration stage (TRL 4–7) due to high costs, low biomass productivity and challenges in system integration. Through a comparative assessment with conventional CCS technologies, this review reveals the unique decarbonization advantages of the microalgae-based BECCUS approach, which include nutrient recycling, resource recovery, and scalable integration. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) provides critical insights into the sustainability and economic feasibility of these systems, guiding future optimization efforts. The review also identifies key knowledge gaps in the implementation of microalgae BECCUS systems and propose strategic directions for advancing these technologies. By overcoming these technical and economic barriers, this approach could evolve into a viable climate mitigation solution that aligns well with global net-zero emission targets, supporting the broader energy transition towards circular bioeconomy.

Source: ScienceDirect