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[Display omitted] • Vital parameters affecting control and utilization of co-culture systems are evaluated. • Utilization of microalgal microbial fuel cells in wastewater treatment is reviewed. • Microalgal co-cultivation systems for biomass/biofuel production are analyzed. • Techniques for biomass and lipid content measurement are comprehensively discussed. • Current challenges and future prospects in microalgal co-cultures progress are addressed. The adverse impacts of fossil fuels on the environment, specifically climate change, have intensified the need for finding a sustainable alternative source of energy. Numerous studies have postulated that biotechnology development, focusing on biofuel production processes, could be a suitable solution for sustainable energy production. The utilization of microorganisms, such as microalgae, is one of the basic strategies to produce biodiesel, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Co-cultivation has overtaken mono-cultivation to improve the production of microalgae due to its endurance, foreseeability, and stability. However, further development of the co-cultivation process requires elaborate efforts to make it safe, practical, and optimal. Some dominant factors affecting the co-culture system control are the diversity of the cell groups, mass transfer, scale-up, population ratio, and time. In this review article, we will discuss some critical topics related to the co-cultivation process, such as data collection, modelling, cultivation methods, and interaction varieties. An overview of the quantification techniques for biomass concentration and lipid content is also provided. Moreover, the utilization of microalgal co-cultures will be analyzed, depicting the difficulties associated with their efficient control. As knowledge of the reactions and their entailing kinetics is elemental for analyzing the microalgal systems, which are used to synthesize intermediate products and chemicals, some studies focusing on the kinetics of microalgal biomass conversion into biofuels are presented. Since the microbial fuel cells (MFCs), as a new bioelectrochemical process, are utilized in the mixed-culture systems to treat wastewater and produce biofuels and other valuable by-products, a summary of the microalgal MFCs is also provided. Finally, arguments about the challenges and advantages of the co-cultivation systems are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A comprehensive study on renewable energy resources in North America is conducted. • A detailed evaluation of renewable energy potentials is provided. • Important steps for better use of renewable energy resources are summarized. • Emerging technologies for development and management of renewable energy are addressed. • Theoretical and practical challenges in development of renewable energies are highlighted. Energy is an important drive for the economic development and social growth. The energy demand has remarkably escalated due to the technological developments in various governmental, industrial, and municipal activities. The fast growing rate of the energy demand as well as the fuel prices, along with the necessity to control the greenhouse gas emissions are the leading driving forces for effective exploitation of the renewable energy resources. In fact, satisfying the growing global energy demands and mitigating the climate change are of the utmost importance in the modern days. In this review paper, a detailed overview of the development and evolution of the renewable and sustainable energy sources is provided in terms of their types, characteristics, applications, production processes, advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, we discuss the impacts of the renewable energies on health and environment, along with the relevant policies and regulations. Further, the emerging technologies and theoretical and practical challenges in the development of the renewable energies are analyzed. Particularly, this review provides information on renewable and sustainable energies' status and prospects in North America. Central large-scale technology and distributed configurations of the renewable energies might be improved in the North American countries to effectively utilize the renewable energies for producing electricity, biomass-based fuels, and heating in both local/rural and industrial divisions. In addition to employment opportunities stemmed from manufacturing of the renewable energies, its significant impact on the economic development can be enhanced in the US, Canada, and Mexico through development of the renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]