Jul 2015 - Jul 2019
Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon energy system.
The overall objective of Photofuel is to make a significant contribution to the development of the field of biocatalytic production of solar fuels (normal and branched alcohols and alkanes from C4 to C11) in cyanobacterial and algal microorganisms; and to assess the broad impact of this novel approach to fuel composition (also taking into account other emerging waste- and residue-based fuels) and engine performance in the future. These activities are carried out as part of a joint industrial and academic consortium that encompasses all central but highly diverse areas of engineering (bio, chemistry, engines, and assessment) and social science needed for this challenging task. The production of the selected microalgae strains will be scaled-up outdoor in a GMO compliant facility by A4F.
Microalgae Species: Chlamydomonas sp., Botryococcus sp., Nannochloropsis sp., Synechocystis sp. and Synechococcus sp.
Program
HORIZON 2020
Budget
6 M€
Duration
48 months
Partners
Volkswagen AG, Germany
Uppsala Universitet, Sweden
Universitaet Bielefeld, Germany
Imperial College Of Science Technology And Medicine, United Kingdom
Universita Degli Studi Di Firenze, Italy
IFP Energies Nouvelles, France
Neste Oil Corporation, Finland
Karlsruher Institut Fuer Technologie, Germany
Centro Ricerche Fiat Scpa, Italy
Volvo Technology Ab, Sweden
Syncom Forschungs - Und Entwicklungsberatung Gmbh, Germany.
A4F Role
A4F will cultivate at a pilot scale the GMO strains in a certified system that guarantees the biosafety procedures required by the European Union. The facility located in Lisbon permits the simultaneous growth of GMOs and WT strains enhancing the replicability of the results.