From April 18-19, 2024, FUELGAE partners gathered in Espoo, Finland, for the second annual meeting. This marked the first major review since the project started six months ago, providing a platform to assess progress and plan future research and innovation actions.
Hosted by the Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT, the meeting brought together our consortium of 13 partners from six European countries. The project focuses on advancing research and demonstrating how CO2 emissions, a key greenhouse gas, from industrial activities can be converted into biofuels sustainably and cost-effectively.
The two-day consortium meeting offered a valuable opportunity to evaluate the project’s progress and collaborate on the next steps. The consortium discussed the advancements made in converting CO2 emissions into biofuels using microalgae and planned the upcoming phases of the project.
“FUELGAE is more than just a project. It is a bold step towards a sustainable future. By exploring the power of microalgae to convert CO2 emissions into biofuels, we aim not only to address the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases but also to pioneer innovative solutions that can transform the transport industry. Our work here is crucial for the global fight against climate change, and we are excited to see the impact of our collective efforts over the coming years,” said Silvia Morales de la Rosa, FUELGAE Project Coordinator and Senior Scientist at CSIC.
The FUELGAE project aims to develop advanced liquid fuels (ALF) from CO2 emissions in biorefinery and energy-intensive industries. This involves integrating a microalgae pilot plant into existing infrastructure to optimise performance through tailored microalgae strains for each industrial application.
Technological Innovations
The FUELGAE project is set to introduce several innovative technologies to enhance the biofuel production process. These include the use of adaptive evolution of microalgae, a novel microalgae treatment process to improve energy efficiency, and novel catalysts for upgrading processes to produce biofuels. Additionally, the project will develop dedicated sensors for process control and create a digital twin to improve process efficiency, enhancing both techno-economic and environmental outcomes.
FUELGAE concept: The project consortium works on advancing ALF production through a range of cutting-edge technologies: selective cultivation of microalgae to extract polysaccharides or lipids, novel treatments for microalgal biomass, innovative catalytic systems for upgrading biocrude, and the implementation of online microalgae sensors developed in collaboration with multiple project partners. (Infographic by RTDS)
Despite these advancements, one of the biggest obstacles to commercializing microalgae-based processes is the high energy consumption required for microalgae treatment to obtain intermediate products. To overcome this, the research group at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is developing new treatments with low energy consumption, making the path to sustainable biofuel production more viable.
The Promise of Microalgae
Microalgae represent a promising feedstock for producing biofuels, particularly for sectors like aviation and maritime that are difficult to electrify. These organisms excel at capturing CO2 for growth, with approximately 50% of their biomass consisting of carbon. This makes microalgae a potent tool in combating climate change. However, scaling up algae farming faces technical hurdles that impede widespread economic viability.
Microalgae cultivation at VTT facilities (Photo by RTDS)
Espoo: Leading the Way in Innovation and Sustainable Smart City Development in Europe
Espoo stands out as a European leader in innovation and sustainable urban development. It hosts the Nordic region’s leading innovation and technology hub, alongside top-tier research institutes, SMEs, and global company headquarters, making it Finland’s epicentre of innovation. Espoo is also at the forefront of sustainability efforts. The city aims to become Europe’s most sustainable city and achieve the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals ahead of schedule, by 2025, with a target of carbon neutrality by 2030. Located next to Finland’s thriving startup hubs, Espoo houses Finland’s key innovation players, including the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland – a FUELGAE project partner.
Visit to VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
The FUELGAE Project team visited VTT, a visionary research and innovation leader in Europe, co-leading our ambitious research in identifying the most efficient microalgae species for capturing CO2 emissions and converting them into biofuels. The consortium partners toured VTT’s facilities, witnessing firsthand how their cutting-edge biomass technologies and top-tier scientists are turning global challenges into sustainable solutions.
Video interview with VTT:
Project Collaboration and Future Steps
In the FUELGAE Project, our 13 partners collaborate to develop innovative methods for producing Advanced Liquid Fuels from various CO2 emission sources, notably from biorefineries and energy-intensive industries. We are utilizing a pilot bioreactor integrated into existing infrastructure. This photobioreactor will employ specially selected microalgae strains, tailored to each industrial case study to enhance performance.
FUELGAE consortium at VTT in Espoo, Finland, 18 April 2024 (Photo by RTDS)
Learn More
Discover more about VTT here.
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