Solar Fuels: A Long Journey
The concept of solar fuels originates from the broader idea of artificial photosynthesis, mimicking how plants and other organisms convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy. Algae emerged as a promising candidate for biofuel production due to their natural ability to produce oils (TAG), key precursors for some fuels. Despite significant investments in algae biofuel research, progress has been hampered by challenges related to cost, scalability, and energy efficiency.
Our Solutions
Nanocrystal light harvesting
Algae feed themselves on sunlight, but they only efficiently utilize specific wavelengths of the solar spectrum, with others remaining unused. To fix this, SUN-PERFORM has turned to nanotechnology.
Our researchers are developing a transparent film embedded with quantum dots – tiny nanocrystals capable of re-engineering light. These nanocrystals convert UV/blue light into the red wavelengths algae crave. Designed for both efficiency and affordability, this innovative film can be seamlessly applied to algae reactors, significantly enhancing the amount of usable sunlight available to the organisms and boosting their productivity.
Genetically enhanced microalgae
SUN-PERFORM aims to reduce energy losses related to metabolic processes in two microalgae strains:
- Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: A species of freshwater algae recently developed as a promising “green cell factory” for the bio-catalytic production of fine and bulk chemicals.
- Nannochloropsis oceanica: A species of saltwater algae with a naturally high lipid accumulation.
Energy Storage Optimization. Inspired by biological batteries, the team is engineering proteins to temporarily store solar energy within the algae, preventing waste during peak light conditions and improving overall productivity.
Enhanced Carbon Fixation. A synthetic CO₂ fixation pathway is being implemented to accelerate the conversion of carbon dioxide into acetyl-CoA, a crucial precursor for lipid production. This pathway operates with lower energy costs, reduced CO₂ emissions, and minimal photorespiration losses compared to the natural Calvin Cycle.
Increased Lipid Production. Metabolic engineering is being applied to redirect energy and carbon flux toward lipid biosynthesis, significantly boosting oil output. The surplus energy from enhanced light harvesting and carbon fixation is channeled strategically to maximize lipid production efficiency. Laboratory testing of improved strains will refine the understanding of their performance, using quantitative data to develop predictive models for optimizing biohybrid systems.
Laboratory testing of improved strains will refine the understanding of their performance, using quantitative data to develop predictive models for optimizing biohybrid systems.
Case Studies & Scalability
SUN-PERFORM will test and evaluate the biohybrid solar-to-fuel system system to ensure performance, scalability, and real-world applicability.
- In collaboration with University Ibn Zohr in Morocco, the nanocrystals light-harvesting system will be tested under real solar conditions in a raceway pond with wild-type algal strains, providing critical insights into its functionality in outdoor environments.
- The engineered microalgal strains, paired with advanced nanocrystal light-harvesting technology, will undergo testing in photobioreactors (PBRs) under simulated solar conditions mimicking two distinct geographical regions: North-West Europe and North Africa
- As a final validation step, the most promising microalgal strains and the nanocrystal technology will be scaled up and tested in 25L tubular prototype photobioreactors at the AlgaePARC facility at the Wageningen University under natural solar irradiance.
These comprehensive testing phases will collectively provide a robust foundation for scaling up and deploying SUN-PERFORM’s innovative solar fuel production technologies.