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Research and development for algae-based technologies in Korea: a review of algae biofuel production

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Abstract

This review covers recent research and development (R&D) activities in the field of algae-based biofuels in Korea. As South Korea’s energy policy paradigm has focused on the development of green energies, the government has funded several algae biofuel R&D consortia and pilot projects. Three major programs have been launched since 2009, and significant efforts are now being made to ensure a sustainable supply of algae-based biofuels. If these R&D projects are executed as planned for the next 10 years, they will enable us to overcome many technical barriers in algae biofuel technologies and help Korea to become one of the leading countries in green energy by 2020.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for the authors of this review was provided by the Global Frontier Program (2011-0031341) of the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning, South Korea and by the Freshwater Microalgae-based Bioenergy Research, and Development Project from Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. JWH, S-WJ, and H–SY thank the commissioning editors, S. P. Mayfield and S. S. Golden, who invited us to write this review article on research and development of algae-based biofuel technologies in Korea. We are also grateful to J. W. Golden for his insightful comments and suggestions.

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Hong, J.W., Jo, SW. & Yoon, HS. Research and development for algae-based technologies in Korea: a review of algae biofuel production. Photosynth Res 123, 297–303 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-014-9974-y

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