This document discusses the potential for algae to serve as an energy source. It notes that algae have several advantages over traditional crops for fuel production, including higher photosynthetic efficiency and the ability to grow in saline water. However, challenges remain in developing cost-effective large-scale production methods. Open ponds are currently the most widely used cultivation method but are over 10 times too expensive, while bioreactors can produce high-value products but are over 100 times too expensive for fuel. The document outlines requirements for an algae startup and suggests that further research is still needed to optimize strains and cultivation methods to make algal biofuels commercially viable.
2. The energy challenge
gy g
Oil production runs
out
Climate warms due
to CO2
We need more
energy
Alternative sources
are needed
d d
3. Algae advantages
g g
‘Food vs. fuel’ becomes
food and fuel
normal crops have only a
1% photosynthetic effiency,
algae at least 5%
(presumably up to 14% in
optimum conditions)
algae have a low land
footprint, making yields of
f i ki i ld f
biomass 15times higher
than for normal crops
can use saline water
7. Requirements for an algae startup
q g p
• Top algae scientists
g p p
• Algae production experience
• Structured Programs
• Strain selection
• Cultivation development
• Extraction
• Scale‐up
• Scale up
• Product Development
gp
• Strong partner
• Capacity for Technology Risk
• Professional execution
• Professional culture
Professional culture
9. The next steps
p
• Pilot facility
• CO2
CO2
• Access
• Competence to operate
• Sales contracts
• Vegetable Oil
• Protein/Carbohydrates
Protein/Carbohydrates
• produce ethanol, biodiesel, milk, animal feed and
compost fertilizer
p
• Commercial Plant design
• Commercial roll out plan
10. Challenges
g
Overall challenge is to develop low‐cost high‐productivity
production systems at scale (e.g. 1000 hectares):
d i l ( h )
Open ponds account for > 90% current worldwide
production, but > 10 times too expensive for biofuels
d i b i i f bi f l
Photobioreactors are excellent for high‐value products, but
>> 100 times too expensive for biofuels
i i f bi f l
Technical challenges are mostly upstream ‐ related to algae
biology & transition from lab to outdoors
12. Harvesting algal blooms from oceans
g g
not energetically or cost effective
sea water is oligotrophic have to add
nutrients like iron
low cell densities
Exception coastal lagoons, possible
contained environment
E.g. Commerically Spirulina from
Lake Texcoco and cyanobacterial
blooms in Oregon ‐ again limited
13. Open‐pond approach
p p pp
Biomass fast, easy and cheap
C
Contamination
i i
Density
Harvesting
14. Bioreactor‐approach
pp
GMO‐containment
B
Better for cold regions
f ld i
Controlled environment
Lipid induction
Expensive
15. So Are Microalgae a Realistic
So Are Microalgae a Realistic
Source of Biofuels?
Source of Biofuels?
Yes
B ill l ki i h b i R&D k h
But we are still lacking in the basic R&D to make them
viable
I ill k i d
It will take time and money
17. Biology as long as possible: Biodiesel
Ability to sustain production of
high‐oil‐yielding microalgae strains
high oil yielding microalgae strains
Ability to extract the oil from the
algae
Capability of converting of
microalgal oil into Biodiesel
Identifying the high‐yielding
microalgal strains
i l l t i
Identifying the most optimal
methods to cultivate them
th d t lti t th
18. Carbon capturing
p g
R&D‐head Jean‐Yves Malpote is in conseil d‘administration
Local strains are best‐fitted
Wastewater usage?
19. Project suggestion
j gg
Harvest and identify local strains from Strasbourg
G
Grow and select them for biomass‐production or lipid
d l h f bi d i li id
production
T
Try wastewater‐treatment
Test genetical engineering for lipid‐content enrichment
