UK initiates Algae Biofuels Challenge
The UK inaugurated plans to commercialise the use of biofuels derived from algae on 23 October.
The Carbon Trust, a company set up by the UK government, is backing The Algae Biofuels Challenge with an expected commitment of £3-6 million (3.7-7.4 million Euros) to fund the project. Other funding has been pledged by the UK government through the Department of Transport.
Phase one of the project will concentrate on researching selections of suitable microalgae algae strains for open pond production, maximising algae oil content and biomass yield, maximising solar conversion efficiency, sustained algae cultivation, and design and engineering of mass-culture systems.
The construction of an open pond test and demonstration plant is scheduled for the second phase. This plant will provide the facilities necessary to continue the research conducted in phase one and demonstrate production at commercial scale in a manner that can be replicated.
'Algae could provide a significant part of the answer and represents a multi billion pound opportunity,' Mark Williamson, innovations director at the Carbon Trust through the Algae Biofuels Challenge, says. 'We will be combining the UK's expertise in the area with our unique knowledge and experience of commercialising early stage low carbon technologies, to give us the best possible chance of successfully producing cost-competitive algal biofuel at scale.'
The majority of commercial production of algae biofuels is likely to take place in tropical and sub-tropical climates that have plentiful sunlight and stable temperatures.
Phase 1 of the Algae Biofuels Challenge is calling for proposals. Applications can be made online at: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/directedresearch/algae.htm
The Carbon Trust, a company set up by the UK government, is backing The Algae Biofuels Challenge with an expected commitment of £3-6 million (3.7-7.4 million Euros) to fund the project. Other funding has been pledged by the UK government through the Department of Transport.
Phase one of the project will concentrate on researching selections of suitable microalgae algae strains for open pond production, maximising algae oil content and biomass yield, maximising solar conversion efficiency, sustained algae cultivation, and design and engineering of mass-culture systems.
The construction of an open pond test and demonstration plant is scheduled for the second phase. This plant will provide the facilities necessary to continue the research conducted in phase one and demonstrate production at commercial scale in a manner that can be replicated.
'Algae could provide a significant part of the answer and represents a multi billion pound opportunity,' Mark Williamson, innovations director at the Carbon Trust through the Algae Biofuels Challenge, says. 'We will be combining the UK's expertise in the area with our unique knowledge and experience of commercialising early stage low carbon technologies, to give us the best possible chance of successfully producing cost-competitive algal biofuel at scale.'
The majority of commercial production of algae biofuels is likely to take place in tropical and sub-tropical climates that have plentiful sunlight and stable temperatures.
Phase 1 of the Algae Biofuels Challenge is calling for proposals. Applications can be made online at: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/directedresearch/algae.htm
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