 The potential of microalgae biomass production for low-cost commodities such as biofuels and animal feeds using sunlight, and CO2 is being reviewed, with a focus on developing high-productivity algal strains that can be stably cultivated in large open ponds, and harvested by low-cost processes. The algal biomass must be high in digestible protein and long chain omega, three fatty acids for animal feeds, while biofuels require a high content of vegetable oils, hydrocarbons or fermentable carbohydrates. Raceway type open pond systems are the only suitable cultivation system for producing low-cost commodities. This article was authored by John Beanman.