Synergies

The cluster unites 10 leading Horizon Europe projects to accelerate the development of advanced algae-based sustainable fuels.

ALFAFUELS Project

Sustainable jet fuels from CO₂ by micro-algal cell factories in a zero-waste approach

ALFAFUELS is a Horizon Europe European project which seeks to develop innovative Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) technology to reduce aviation’s reliance on fossil fuels. By addressing key challenges like high production costs and sustainability issues, the project incorporates breakthroughs such as microbial fuel precursor production and solar-driven photochemistry. ALFAFUELS aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 5, utilising novel bioreactors, pilot-scale trials, and industry collaboration for accelerated upscaling.

ALGAESOL 

Sustainable aviation and shipping fuels from microalgae and direct solar BES energy

ALGAESOL aims to develop cost-effective, sustainable and renewable biofuels based on microalgae and direct solar fuel production and purification technologies in order to accelerate the replacement of fossil-based energy technologies. Solar energy, carbon dioxide and organic wastes will be converted through biologic, photoelectrochemical, electrochemical or bioelectrochemical processes into renewable methanol, methane and biooils, forming the basis for aviation and shipping fuels.

CAPTUS Project

Energy intensive industries will need to meet new technologies and strategies to adapt to carbon-neutrality goals. The EU funded project CAPTUS will investigate carbon capture technologies and strategies to help energy intensive industries to offset energy costs. The key approach of the project is to leverage peaks in the renewable energy supply for carbon capture and to use that captured carbon to make different liquid energy carriers which are feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals.

The project partners from Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Spain are coordinated by the CIRCE Technology Centre. Together, they will build and test pilot installations at three different plants – a cement, chemical and steel plant – serving as representatives for typical energy intensive industries. Apart from adapting carbon capture technologies to the specific conditions found in the flue gas of these plants, the project partners will validate the different energy carriers produced, optimize key steps through simulations and modelling as well as set up business models for future replication.

COCPIT Project

Circular production of microalgae-based fuels for shipping and aviation

COCPIT seeks to revolutionize Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the maritime fuels production by cultivating a lipid-rich microalgae strain in an intensified reactor powered by photovoltaic panels. Two pathways, Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL), are explored for SAF production with a focus on circularity, productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.

Efficient lipid extraction and hydrotreatment catalysis are employed in the HEFA pathway, while the HTL pathway utilizes a specialized continuous reactor to enhance scalability. Biocrude upgrading is led to give a high flexibility between SAF and shipping fuel production.

The circular design minimizes by-products, incorporates an endogenous hydrogen feed system, recirculates nutrients, and reduces water intensity. The integrated system is evaluated using Unism software, providing a decision tool for investors within a marketplace to select suitable technologies and equipment. The tool aims to grow beyond the project, encompassing all certified and promising SAF production pathways.

ICARUS

International cooperation for sustainable aviation biofuels

The ICARUS Project is dedicated to advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production by addressing critical technology limitations in three key routes: Biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction; Isobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass; and Synthetic Fischer-Tropsch from biomass gasification.

NIAGARA Project

Next advanced biofuels from algae biomass and organic biogenic wastes for electricity generation through fuel cells application

NIAGARA aims to transform European biogenic waste streams—such as wastewater, digestate, and sewage sludge—together with microalgae into advanced biofuels for clean electricity generation through innovative fuel cell applications. The process integrates an advanced hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) technology to convert biogenic wastes and microalgae into hydrochar and an aqueous phase. The hydrochar is gasified, while the liquid phase undergoes aqueous phase reforming (APR). Captured CO₂ is then reused through advanced sorbent technologies, and the resulting biofuel powers solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). NIAGARA’s integrated process is designed to operate with a minimal carbon footprint and holds the potential to become carbon-negative over time, driving progress toward a circular, low-carbon bioeconomy.

SusAlgaeFuel

Exploring the synergies between direct carbon-capture, nutrient recovery and next-generation purification technologies for cost-competitive and sustainable microalgal aviation fuel

While air traffic continues to grow worldwide, reducing environmental pollution remains an urgent challenge. Algae-based biofuels offer a promising opportunity to reduce the aviation industry’s CO₂ emissions. Research and development in this area is progressing, with leading research institutes, companies and airlines working together to find sustainable alternatives. SusAlgaeFuel aims to develop a range of innovative approaches based on waste treatment, digital sensors, cascading biorefinery, and multifunctional catalysts to enable a more sustainable and cost-competitive production of microalgae aviation fuels. 

Advanced Sustainable Biofuels Production from Purified Microalgae and Oleaginous Yeasts via Integrated Solar Hydrothermal Liquefaction

The EU-funded SUNFUSION project aims to revolutionise biofuel production by converting microalgae and oleaginous yeasts into advanced biofuels using innovative technologies. The project combines cutting-edge systems, including specialised cultivation methods for microalgae and yeasts, a solar-powered hydrothermal liquefaction reactor, and a solar-aided thermal energy storage system for prolonged green energy supply. By leveraging concentrated solar thermal technologies to produce biofuels with zero emissions and waste, SUNFUSION targets an impressive solar-to-biocrude energy efficiency of over 50 %. The project’s mobile platform could bring renewable energy to off-grid locations, marking a major step towards sustainable, decentralised biofuel production.

SUSTEPS

Sustainable, Secure, and Competitive Energy Through Scaling Up Advanced Biofuel Generation

SUSTEPS project is an ambitious initiative dedicated to the sustainable production of advanced biofuels, particularly aviation fuels, from microalgae. The project seeks to revolutionize renewable fuel technologies by advancing every step of the microalgae-based biofuels (jet fuel, renewable diesel) value chain. At its core, SUSTEPS aims to develop technologies that meet the market standards for replacing fossil fuels in the transport sector. SUSTEPS proposes a bio-refinery concept where microalgae-based biofuel is produced with the introduction of several elements oriented towards sustainability and cost efficiency like carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation via microalgae, feeding on wastewater, integrating green hydrogen, valorizing side aqueous streams.