The mission is under way to turn algae into an alternative to fossil-based oil by 2020 as the UK Carbon Trust launched the Algae Biofuels Challenge.

The multi-million pound initiative could see the Carbon Trust commit £3.6 million of funding in the first phase of the challenge depending on the number of quality applications it receives. The UK Department of Transport has also announced that it will be contributing towards the initiative.

So what does the challenge involve? The Carbon Trust hopes to recruit expertise to develop ‘green oil’ from algae. The challenge is to produce this second-generation algae-based biofuel cost effectively because if successful it could deliver six-10 times more energy per hectare than conventional cropland biofuels. It is also believed it could lead to a carbon emission reduction in the region of 80 per cent compared to fossil fuels.

Phase one of the challenge involves isolation and screening algae strains for open pond mass culture; maximising solar conversion efficiency; achieving high oil content and high productivity; sustaining algae cultivation in open ponds; and designing and engineering a cost-effective mass culture system.

The challenge was opened on October 23 and applicants may apply for grants in the region of £500,000 to address individual topics and these may cover up to 100 per cent of eligible costs.

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