What are the Key Technological and Logistical Challenges in Harvesting and Processing Algae for Biofuel Production, and How Can They Be Overcome?

Rising fossil fuel consumption worsens ecological destruction and causes changes to renewable energy sources. Microalgae for biodiesel production can emerge as a sustainable solution by bypassing the constraints of land and water associated with traditional biofuels. Cultivation has changed to incorporate optimized photobioreactors and wastewater synergies, while harvesting and lipid extraction techniques have improved to lower environmental footprints through electro-coagulation-flocculation and supercritical CO2 extraction, among others. These technological strides are summarized in this review, showing how selective breeding, genetic engineering, and integrated biorefinery approaches enhance the economic feasibility of algae-based biofuel. An interdisciplinary approach is required to magnify algae’s role in the future of sustainable energy. Research and policy support has been driving the progression of microalgae biofuels toward carbon neutrality, which positions algae as a global player in the quest for energy independence.