Biogas from renewable resources – Algal biomass to energy
Renewable energy produced from biomass, such as farm-based materials or remains from food production already make an important contribution to the future energy demand.
“There is still a massive potential for improvements in the field of renewable energy production from organic resources”, stresses Professor Dr. Olaf Kruse from the Biology Department at Bielefeld University in Germany.
In November 2007 a research and development consortium was founded in Bielefeld, including the biological and genetic institutes at Bielefeld University, Bielefeld Public Utilities Company and BIOGAS NORD AG, an anaerobic digester manufacturer and service provider.
The partners intend to cooperate on all levels, from fundamental biotechnological research to technical plant construction, investigating the use of biogas coming from anaerobic digesters as an alternative energy source for municipal power supply.
The project leader Dr. Olaf Kruse considers the prime goal of the consortium to be the optimization of the feed substrates already used in anaerobic digesters, such as traditional on-farm materials and other organic resources, whilst at the same time investigating and tapping into new substrates that do not compete with the human food chain.
One main focal point of the Bielefeld project will be the utilization of algae as a potential future alternative source of renewable material suitable for anaerobic digestion and biogas production.
The necessary basis for the success of the project is intensive research and development at all stages of the respective processes and procedures. The Bielefeld consortium provides an ideal forum, as all skills of the participating partners cover the complete processing chain.
Literally all organic material has the potential to serve an anaerobic digester to produce biogas. In case of the traditional on-farm materials the research will focus on how to maximize the energy yield of these products.
Research related to substrates not competing with the human food chain will focus on algae. “Algae will be an important future component for anaerobic digestion” Dr. Olaf Kruse is convinced.
For this reason, an anaerobic digester system, established in accordance with commercial principles and with an output of half a megawatt, is planned.
The digester system will be equipped with suitable measurement and monitoring, which will enable researchers from Bielefeld University and BIOGAS NORD to carry out biochemical test and technological research. “Such a cooperation of key partners in the biogas sector is probably unique”, comments Dr. Olaf Kruse, “and opens up completely new possibilities for increasing effectiveness of such facilities.”
For more information please also see our webpage www.biogasnord-us.com
written by michael at 5. August 2008 | stored at BIOGAS |