Technology

Nobody wants to venture when microalgae will become viable at an industrial scale, especially for producing biofuels, because they are considered to be among the "third generation" feed stocks and there is still much room for improvement. However, R&D in this field is advancing, while a wide variety of algae can also be used for other compatible applications (nutrition, cosmetics, CO2 absorption, etc.) These were the findings of a technical seminar entitled Algae: uses and applications, held at the Madrid headquarters of the Spanish Federation of Journalist Associations (FAPE) in March.

A pilot plant in Babilafuente (Salamanca), construction underway of an industrial-scale facility in Hugoton (Kansas), and now selection by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) to produce second-generation ethanol from sugar cane biomass. Abengoa is committed to second-generation biofuels, as is Brazil, where some experts forecast a surge in ethanol output and exports after the United States lifted its import duties.

The power company has completed the construction of the extension of its pilot plant to capture CO2 using microalgae on the site of its Litoral de Almeria thermal plant. The main objective, explains Endesa, is to test new types of photo-bioreactors and microalgae (some genetically modified), and "develop recovery processes for the biomass obtained as a first step towards demonstrating the technical and economic viability of the plant". The aim is to pave the way for industrial operations.

Several research centres are investigating using waste generated in the production of various alcoholic beverages, from beer and cider to wine and whiskey to produce energy. The University of Cadiz has joined this group, after developing a process for using waste from the brewing industry to produce biofuels, functional foods and cosmetics.

Approved by the cabinet on 4 November and published in the Official State Gazette on Saturday 5th, Spanish legislation now includes a Royal Decree regulating the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids, the double value of some of these fuels in terms of sustainability, and the national system of verification. As announced by the National Energy Commission (CNE), the rules are almost literally transcribed from the European directives on the sustainability of biofuels.

The month of October began and ended with commercial aviation biofuels in Spain taking centre stage. The first test flight in our country was made from Madrid to Barcelona to mark the signing of a landmark agreement to develop aviation biofuels by three government agencies reporting to three ministries (Development, Industry and Environment), and thirteen entities from airlines and energy companies to technology centres and sustainability schemes.

Spain’s National Energy Commission (CNE) wants to build on its work certifying biofuels by managing the system for verifying their sustainability. Details of its plans were revealed in the report backing the draft royal decree sent by the Government to the CNE for consultation. The report notes that Spanish legislation incorporates the European directives on this matter almost word for word, “whereby it is understood that the European Union’s rules on sustainability criteria have been adequately transposed”.

Since 2007, the University of Cordoba and the technology-based company Séneca Green Catalyst, operating under the auspices of the former, have been working to obtain biodiesel through a process that produces as little waste as possible. The entities initially focused on using an enzyme – pancreatic lipase obtained from pigs – to replace caustic soda as a catalyst, but have now identified another, cheaper and more affordable enzyme used in bread making.

Aena, Iberia, AlgaEnergy, the universities of Seville and Almeria and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) recently presented the Microalgae Research Technology Platform at Madrid-Barajas Airport, which will be installed in Terminal 4 (T4). The aim of the new centre is to enhance technologies at airport facilities for capturing carbon, which will then be used to grow microalgae for the production of biofuels.

The plant located in Cañete de las Torres (Córdoba) is the first in the world to use the Japanese Kurata system to obtain ecological second-generation fuels using olive cake. It is designed to accept any type of biomass and has a production capacity of 10,000 tonnes per annum