UAE's biofuel from algae potential announced

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, presented details on the UAE's growth and export potential in the biofuels-from-algae sector in March.

The Algae Research Laboratory and Microbial Environmental and Chemical Engineering Laboratory (MECEL) has been undertaking research that looks into making new types of fuels that could be used for specialised needs, such as aviation and jet fuel.

‘The algae available in the UAE desert is unique because it is local and can stand a wide change in temperature,’ says Masdar assistant professor Hector Hernandez. ‘It can also live under high salinity ranges, one of the 'highest' to date of any algae species, and can be used all year round.’

Industry experts back the UAE to make a ‘strong impact’ in the biofuels-from-algae market moving forward.

The Institute believes the cost of producing energy is currently projected between $8 (€6) to $20 per gallon of biodiesel produced from algae but recent technologies and co-production schemes, along with novel growth production schemes, will make the overall cost of producing biofuels from algae a profitable venture in the next three to four years.