The gist of the analysis is that algal biodiesel will cost $850 per barrel.

Here's the conclusion:

Conclusions
1. Maximum achievable density of solar capture with industrial photobioreactors is on the order of 6.5-10.5 W/m2, which compares with terrestrial yields of 0.3-1W/m2 Such densities of solar conversion do not justify even the most inexpensive capital and operational outlays for PBR buildout and operation.

2. Algal microorganisms operating with maximum photosynthetic efficiency allocate only a limited fraction of the captured solar energy into lipid production. Only this limited fraction can be processed via the lucrative biodiesel pathway and the rest of the biomass will have to be allocated to less profitable products.

3. A PBR-based biodiesel plant operating at maximum efficiency is not economically feasible at fuel prices below $800/bbl.

4. A PBR-based biodiesel plant will have a maximum carbon mitigation potential of less than 30 kgCO2/m2/yr

5. Biofuel production in PBR-based plants compares unfavourably with other alternative technologies for liquid fuel production, carbon mitigation and solar energy.

6. Hype surrounding some alternative energy startups sometimes disregards the laws of physics and other fundamental principles.

When folk first consider using algae as a future fuel source, it is often because, when tabulated, algae can produce more fuel per acre per year, than any other crop.

I suspect the premise is wrong and that the table showing the productivity of "crops" doesn't really have uniform boundary conditions.

I think it was Odum that spent a bit of time in one of his later books sketching out why algae wasn't going to turn out as well as some people hoped. Thermodynamic arguments if I recall.

Ultimately it might not much matter what is more productive. I suspect it might well turn out that from any biosystem where we take so much that we concern ourselves with whether or not there is another (poly)culture more productive for us we are already taking way too much.

Or to look at it another way, the sustainable harvest of an established sequoia grove or a salmon run might not be a whole lot different than the sustainable harvest of an algae pond. Marginal return. That's just a gut feeling and maybe entirely wrong.

cfm in Gray, ME