Objective
To analyze algae-based CO2 capture
technology, its status, viability and
future.
List of Contents
Introduction
Advantages of Algae-based Carbon Capture
Key Players in Algae-based Carbon Capture Technology
Current Status of Key Players
Success Points of Pilot Projects
Challenges and Efforts
Conclusion
Introduction
Why CO2 Capture?
Why Algae for CO2 Capture?
Algae -based CO2 Capture Technology
Flue gas
Flu gas purification
Nutrients
Algae cultivation system
Algal biomass
Sunlight
Advantages of Algae-based Carbon Capture
– Safe and sustainable
– An onsite solution
– Additional revenues
– Highest rates of CO2 uptake
Algae-based Carbon Capture vs Geological Sequestration
Algae-based Technology
Geological Sequestration
Technology
Sustainable
Social problems arises
Safe
Untested on large scale
No need to transport CO2
Need to transport CO2 to
sequestration site
Generates biomass
No additional revenue
Coupled with wastewater
treatment
Coupled with oil recovery
$ = carbon credit +
nutrient credit + biomass
$ = carbon credit
Algae-based Carbon Capture
Not a theory anymore !
The Key Players
Current Status of Key Players
Companies
Project phase
RWE energy
Pilot Stage
Portland General Electric
Pilot Stage
MBD Energy
Pilot Stage
Seambiotic
Pilot Stage
Linc Energy
Research stage
Trident Exploration
Research stage
NRG Energy
Research stage
EniTecnologies
Research stage
Glenturret Whisky
distillery
Research stage
Who Uses What?
3 pilot phase project uses photobioreactor
1 uses open pond
Open pond
Closed pond
2 Research
Not yet tried
1 Pilot
• Seambiotic
Photobioreactor
4 Research
3 Pilot
• RWE energy
• Portland General
Electric
• MBD Energy
CO2 Capture Potential
CO2 capture potential
Seambiotic
• 1,000 m2
tonnes/acre/year
100
90
80
RWE energy
• 600 m2
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Seambiotic
RWE Energy
Seambiotic uses open ponds and captures 80 tonnes of CO2 per acre/year
RWE energy uses photobioreactor and captures 87 tonnes of CO2 per acre/ year
Biomass is a Bonus!
Key Players
End Use of Algae
Seambiotic
Food additives, Fish feed and biofuels
MBD
Algae oil
Linc Energy
Biodiesel, Fertilizers and power.
Trident Exploration
Electricity
RWE energy
Biogas plant
Glenturret Whisky distillery
Animal feed for cattle and Shellfish farms
Success Points of Pilot Projects
- 40-50% carbon dioxide capture
- Companies capture both carbon dioxide and
nitrous oxide
- Algae are successfully cultivated in sub freezing
temperatures by using the waste heat generated
from coal plants.
- Additional revenues.
Grants & Investments
- More than $ 200 million grants
Department of Energy
The Welsh Assembly Government
- More than $ 200 million investments
RWE energy
MBD Energy
Challenges addressed
– Bubbling of carbon dioxide
• E.g. By altering pH
– Energy intensive algae harvesting and drying
• E.g. Gravity settling
– Low cost algae cultivation
• E.g. Wastewater cultivation
Challenges yet to be addressed
Suitable algal strain selection
Land availability near power plant
Retrofitting algae systems in existing power
plants
Economic viability
Industrial perception
Conclusion
Algae-based carbon capture technology is in its
initial stages of research.
Preliminary results suggest that there is a
significant amount of investments and
industrial participation.
Hence, it is not a theory anymore and could
have a good GHG abatement potential in
future.
Questions?
Thank you