The Enel Group has launched a new phase in the development of technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCS) using micro-algae.
Indeed, at the research centre that subsidiary Endesa manages near the Litoral plant in Almeria, the first experimental phase regarding this technology, which began in 2006, has successfully been completed. The process consists in applying photosynthesis as with chlorophyll to algae in order for these to store carbon dioxide. The algal biomass will then be used by the cosmetic, pharmacy or fish industry, as well as for the production of biofuels.
The new industrial testing project will be initiated with a 3.5 million euro budget. In phase 2, which will be developed on a surface of about 1,000 square metres, two new types of photo-bioreactors will be used that differ from those presently used at the plant (raceways and semi-closed horizontal tubular photo-bioreactors).
Research will take place on the genetically modified micro-algae, which will be then tested in phases 1 and 2 of the pilot plant. The objective is the demonstration that laboratory findings can also be reproduced by semi-industrial tests. The genetic modification of microalgae has two objectives:
- to increase the production of algal biomass, i.e. raise the concentration of microalgae in the culture and hence its capacity to capture CO2, and
- to increase the production of lipids, raw material for producing high-energy compounds to be used as biofuels.
Along with the project in Almeria, the Enel Research Centre continues its experiments at the "Federico II" plant in Brindisi. Initially conceived as a project associated with carbon capture at the CCS pilot plant in the Italian region of Puglia, the project for technological innovation also aims at making food for fish cultivation from the algae.
