The Algal Fuel Consortium (AFC) won a US$2.26 million research grant under the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism’s Second Generation Biofuels program in Australia. The grant will support the development of microalgal mass cultivation systems to generate biomass from captured CO2 emissions.
AFC comprises the Sancon Recycling Pty Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Sancon Resources Recovery Inc.); Government of South Australia; South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI); Flinders University; Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO); and Flinders Partners.
This truly collaborative research project will produce biomass from native strains of microalgae, from which biodiesel will be produced on a scale that is commercially viable. At the same time, the project will produce high value by-products including Omega-3 fatty acids, bioactive peptides and carotenoids used by the nutraceutical industry.
In a recent interview, Rob Thomas, Chair of the Algal Fuels Consortium said about the AFC, “This renewable energy project is a step forward from the small-scale research conducted to date by the AFC partners. Under this project, the consortium partners will improve native microalgal strains to be grown in ponds optimized for productivity, with carbon and nutrient delivery. The AFC will also develop low-cost and efficient harvesting, dewatering, and oil extraction technologies and perform subsequent bioprocessing to produce high value co-products alongside biodiesel.”
Rob will be sharing his perspectives on the Algal Fuels Consortium at the 2nd Algae World Asia summit in Bangkok. In his speech, “Biorefinery Approach for Algal Biofuels and High Value Co-Products”, Rob will provide an update AFC’s research and development into their Algae project.
