Algae are one of the promising biomass feedstock for renewable energy production owing to their widespread availability, fast growth rate, and high oil and other biomass yields. However, the challenges of the high costs of culturing the algae in large scale have limited the practical use of this feedstock. These limitations can, however, be overcome by coupling algae production with wastewater and flue gas treatment. The objective of our ongoing study is to select high oil content and high growth rate algae species that can flourish on wastewater. The growth characteristics and oil yield of selected microalgae in batch cultures and their relationship to removal of nitrogen and phosphorous and consumption of CO₂ are being investigated. The effects of pH, chemical contaminants, aeration rates, and CO₂ supply on mass culture of these microalgae will be evaluated. Recommendation on algae for biomass production and wastewater treatment will be provided.

Keywords: microalgae culture; wastewater; feedstock; high oil content; biodiesel