The term “algae” refers to a great diversity of organisms—from microscopic cyanobacteria to giant kelp—which convert sunlight into energy using photosynthesis, like plants. There are over 100,000 genetically diverse strains of algae. This is an advantage for researchers, who can harness algal strains’ numerous unique properties to develop promising algal biofuels and bioproducts.The key to algae’s potential as a renewable fuel source involves the increase of algal biomass productivity per acre. Some researchers say algae could be 10 or even 100 times more productive than traditional bioenergy crops. Achieving high productivity in real-world systems is a key challenge to realizing the promise of sustainable and affordable algal biofuels. Once harvested, algae can be readily processed into the raw material to make fuels for cars, trucks, trains, and planes.