European scheme launched to develop algae as an energy source

A major new research project is to get underway in Europe to advance the production of algae as a source of 'green oil'.

The GB £12 million initiative, called EnAlgae, aims to establish the productivity potential of North West Europe as an algae growing region. Over four and a half years, the research programme will aim to find out whether countries in colder climates, such as the UK, can grow algae on a large scale and cost effectively for use as biofuels and other green products.

"Algae offers significant potential for the sustainable production of energy and fuels. Much of the focus so far has been on the production of algae in more favourable climates, such as the US, but there is a distinct lack of information about how algae grow at scale in more challenging climates," says Dr Claire Smith, algae lead at the NNFCC, the UK's National Centre for Bio-renewable Energy, Fuels and Materials, one of the organisations involved in the project.

Algae can be grown on non-arable land using seawater. The EnAlgae project will establish a series of pilot seaweed farms and microalgae growth facilities. The information gathered will be used to analyse the value and achievable carbon emission reductions from making fuel, energy and other products from algae in North West Europe. The research project will also develop a computer-based tool to work out how and where algae could be grown in the region.

For more information visit http://www.enalgae.eu/