Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2017) 132: 14
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2017-11301-8

Regular Article

Edible energy: balancing inputs and waste in food supply chain and biofuels from algae

¹ INFN, Milan, Italy
² Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
³ Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy

^* e-mail: gianluca.alimonti@mi.infn.it

Received: 2 December 2016
Accepted: 15 December 2016
Published online: 16 January 2017

Abstract

Energy is life. Without it there is no water, there is no nutrition. Man's ability to live, grow, produce wealth is closely linked to the energy availability and use. Fire has been the first energy conversion technology; since that moment, the link between energy and progress has been indissoluble. Nowadays, a much greater energy input into the food supply chain has made a much higher food production possible. This might have an impact on the water availability. Algae are a promising solution for the energy-food-water nexus.