The performance of the entrapped-cell photobioreactor during H-2 production was assessed by using glucose as substrate in a continuous operation mode. The maximal hydrogen production rate and light conversion efficiency, 2.61 mmol/L/h and 82.3%, were obtained at a HRT of 11.4 h, an substrate loading rate of 4.2 mmol/h and an illumination of 590 nm and 6000 lux, the corresponding hydrogen yield and total energy efficiency were 0.62 mmol H-2/(mmol glucose) and 4.8%, respectively. The results indicate the H-2 production system illuminated at 590 nm wavelength engaged in energy storage for H-2 production due to more ATP synthesized in primary reaction center, and was of higher energy recovery capacity. Furthermore, the total energy efficiency was far lower than the corresponding light conversion efficiency due to intermediates production. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.