Page 20 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2020 publication
P. 20
To promote the technical feasibility of Algae Biofuels, the EU FP7 Energy programme launched
in 2011 three projects on a demonstration scale. All-Gas is the only one of this cluster to produce
algae and operate the entire value chain of biofuel conversion and fleet demonstration. The
integrated design of energy efficient wastewater treatment, based on high-rate algal ponds,
20 Spring 2020 European Energy Innovataiollonws to harvest nutrients, while producing biogas and reuse water without external energy
input.
COMMUNICATION
Full sustainability is reached based on a circular economy concept, avoiding dependency on
fresh water, arable land and inorganic fertilizers. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) performed on
the demonstration plant showed an energy return on investment (EROI) of 4, changing the
paradigm of effluent treatment from energy consumer to net energy exporter.
Algae biofuel: clean air, cleanThe consortium www.all-gas.eu , led by Aqualia, demonstrated on large scale the sustainable
production of bio-fuels based on low-cost microalgae cultures. 2 ha of raceway ponds and
related flotation harvesting and thickening were operated over several years, with the biomass
water – digested to biogas and upgraded to biomethane, which fueled 3 test vehicles that ran for 70 000
clear consciencekmeachovertwoyears.
Previous to the implementation of the Demo phase in 2017, a stepwise scale up of the process
was carefully designed and implemented in order to minimize risk. Pilot plants were installed in
2011. In 2014 the plant was scaled up to a 1000 m2 prototype and its respective work and
To promote the technical testing program allowed to confirm key parameters. A biomass productivity with a yearly
feasibility of Algae Biofuels, average above 100 t/ha was achieved, and biomethane yield reached 200 L CH4/kg VS. In May
the EU FP7 Energy 2016 a first car validated the microalgae fuel quality produced in All-Gas project.
programme launched in 2011
three projects on a demonstration Biofuel Demo
scale. All-Gas is the only one of this production 2017
2016
Prototype
cluster to produce algae and operate 1000m 2
the entire value chain of biofuel 2014
conversion and fleet demonstration. Pilot plant
The integrated design of energy 200m2
efficient wastewater treatment, based 2011
on high-rate algal ponds, allows to
harvest nutrients, while producing
biogas and reuse water without
external energy input.
Full sustainability is reached based on The biogas upgrading unit fueled a test fleet of 3 dedicated vehicles, as well as other 4 vehicles
a circular economy concept, avoiding
dependency on fresh water, arable wiftohr mauyneicaiprallysearvviecersa.gTeo eavbalouavtee t1h0e0etf/fehcat of the bi4o,m5ektgh/a1n0e 0onkmengainnesd, e1a5c,h0t0e0st ckamr w/aysr).
land and inorganic fertilizers. The Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA) performed wamsonaitcohreied voevedr,aa7n0d00b0ikommeevatlhuaatnioen program. OverTthhiesdrueraptiroensoefnthtespfrooujerctt, iAmll-eGsasmwaosre than
on the demonstration plant showed yieaarbldoleunrteodatmhceohvweeodtrhlde210f0le0teLitmvCeesHh. ic4le/skgin VChSi.clIanna around 40w0.h00a0t kism,awchhiciehviseedquwiviatlhenct otontvreavnetl ional
an energy return on investment May 2016 a first car validated the biofuels, such as bioethanol from
(EROI) of 4, changing the paradigm
of effluent treatment from energy microalgae fuel quality produced in sugarcane or biodiesel from palm oil,
consumer to net energy exporter.
All-Gas project. both yielding about 5,000L/ha/yr.
The consortium www.all-gas.eu, led by
Aqualia, demonstrated on large scale The biogas upgrading unit fueled a Additionally to renewable energy
the sustainable production of bio- test fleet of 3 dedicated vehicles, production, the circular economy
fuels based on low-cost microalgae as well as 4 other vehicles for concept of the all-gas project
cultures. 2 ha of raceway ponds municipal services. To evaluate the significantly reduces the electricity
and related flotation harvesting and effect of the biomethane on engines, required to treat wastewater.
thickening were operated over several each test car was monitored over a Compared to conventional processes,
years, with the biomass digested to 70,000km evaluation program. Over for each 1,000m3/d treated around
biogas and upgraded to biomethane, the duration of the project, All-Gas 0.4kwhm3 can be saved - equivalent
which fueled 3 test vehicles that ran was able to move the fleet vehicles in to the yearly electricity consumption
for 70,000km each over two years. Chiclana around 400,000km, which is of more than 20 people. Extraction
equivalent to travel around the world of lipids was also demonstrated with
Previous to the implementation of 10 times. BDI’s RepCat process, producing a
the Demo phase in 2017, a stepwise few liters of algae-biodiesel within
scale up of the process was carefully The demo operation showed that the specification of EN 14214 except
designed and implemented in order each hectare of algae culture has for the sulphur content. Some of
to minimize risk. Pilot plants were a wastewater treatment capacity the results are included in the new
installed in 2011. In 2014 the plant around 1,000m3/d, producing documentary Brave Blue World. ●
was scaled up to a 1,000m2 prototype biomethane above 1,300kg CH4yr
and its respective work and testing – enough to fuel 20 cars (at (www.youtube.com/brave blue trailer).
program allowed to confirm key
parameters. A biomass productivity
The demo operation showed that each hectare of algae culture has a wastewater treatment
capacity around 1000 m3/d, producing biomethane above 13 000 kg CH4/yr – enough to fuel 20
cars (at 4,5 kg/100 km and 15 000 km/yr). This represents fowurwtiwm.eeusrmopoereanthenanerwgyhiantniosvaacthioienv.eud
with conventional biofuels, such as bioethanol from sugarcane or biodiesel from palm oil, both
yielding about 5000 L/ha/yr.
