Three major algae biofuel projects have been launched by the European Union as part of the Algae Cluster this May. Each of them intends to build a 10ha (25 acre) facility to produce biofuel from algae in different ways. These will be the largest algae biofuel facilities in Europe.
The particular project newtonhillsolarfarm is involved in is called InteSusAl, the full name of which is “Demonstration of integrated and sustainable cultivation with biodiesel validation”. The project will run until the 31st of October 2015.
The InteSusAl project will optimise the whole microalgae production chain to achieve algae cultivation targets of 90- 120 dry tonnes per hectare per annum.
The project will use the glycerine by-product from biodiesel to feed the heterotrophic system, which will allow maximum recovery of carbon from the glycerine while producing algal oil for use in further biodiesel production. The partners expect to demonstrate a virtually closed loop system for carbon usage. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be used during the design phase to guide the best overall options to maximise sustainability, as well as to compare the InteSusAl approach with other algae projects, fossil fuels and biofuels.
As well as newtonhillsolarfarm, The InteSusAl consortium is composed of the following partners:
- Centre for Process Innovation (UK)
- Necton (Portugal)
- NIOZ (Netherlands)
- DLO-FBR (Netherlands)
- European Renewable Energy Research Centres Agency (Belgium)
For more information on the project, contact: Paola Mazzucchelli, EUREC Agency, rue d’Arlon 63-65, 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 0032 2 546 19 31 Email: mazzucchelli.p@eurec.be