A group of 11 UK institutions has come together with the aim of developing a commercial algae biofuel process capable of producing 70 billion litres of algae biofuel a year by 2030. The plan, unveiled by the Carbon Trust today (19th March), sees the group looking to develop an algae biofuels process which will bring the cost of the finished fuel down to less than $1 a litre.Starting from first principles of agriculture, explained the Carbon Trust, thousands of strains of algae will be screened to find the winning few that can produce large quantities of a substance similar to vegetable oil. Additional research will develop methods for enabling large-scale production in algae ponds and next year the Carbon Trust plans to start construction of a pilot demonstration plant in an equatorial region where algae are most productive.
Launching what it describes as, Europe’s most significant public initiative into algae biofuels, Tom Delay chief executive of the Carbon Trust, said: “We have pulled together a dream team of over 70 UK algae scientists who have the expert knowledge to turn algae into a British biofuel success story. Applying principles this country has developed from its proud agricultural heritage and leading bioscience expertise we will be developing a truly sustainable biofuel that could provide up to 80% carbon savings compared to diesel savings in car and jet fuel. With a market value of over £15 billion the potential rewards are high.”
Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan, was equally enthusiastic: “This project demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that biofuels are truly sustainable – and to show the potential from microalgae to be refined for use in renewable transport fuel development, to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”
Production of 70 billion litres will require man-made algae ponds equivalent to a landmass larger than Wales to be built in optimum locations across the world. Algae need a source of carbon dioxide and water to grow so Carbon Trust is now looking to investigate possible locations for large-scale plants which could be, for example, next to industrial facilities located near the sea.
The Carbon Trust is investing £8 million over 3 years into the projects using funding from the Department for Transport and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Those universities and institutions selected to conduct the research are:
– University of Coventry
– London Queen Mary
– University of Manchester
– University of Newcastle (Supported on one project by Critical Processes Ltd)
– Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
– Scottish Association for Marine Science
– University of Sheffield
– University of Southampton
– University of Swansea (Supported by Bangor University and PML)
No comments:
Post a Comment