The National Renewable Energy Centre ( CENER ) is carrying out an innovative project, Cyclalg , focused on the cultivation of microalgae for biodiesel production. In collaboration with Neiker-Tecnalia, CB2G, and other consortium partners, Cyclalg aims to harness microalgae biomass as a sustainable energy source.
During the first half of 2017, technicians from Cener's Biomass Department successfully harvested the first 12 kg of fresh microalgae biomass . This significant achievement exceeded expectations in terms of solids and lipid concentration, notably reaching a lipid content of over 50%, which is crucial for efficient biodiesel production.
Application of microalgae oil for biodiesel
The oil extracted from the harvested microalgae has been properly evaluated for biodiesel production . This process was managed by Qatar-CRITT, a project partner specializing in biomass-to-biofuel conversion. Furthermore, a comprehensive study was conducted to test the quality of the biodiesel obtained and assess its potential for the industrial market. This analysis is essential to confirm the technical and commercial viability of microalgae-derived biofuels.
Biodiesel produced from microalgae, according to research from other parallel projects, can offer up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. In fact, microalgae are known for their ability to fix carbon dioxide, making them an attractive solution for decarbonizing maritime, land, and air transport.
Objectives of the Cyclalg project
The main objective of the Cyclalg project is the development and validation of innovative technologies for biodiesel production through microalgae cultivation. In addition to research on biofuel production, the project also aims to create a sustainable economic system capable of generating other microalgae-derived products, such as fertilizers, cosmetics, and chemicals for the adhesives and polyols industries.
This approach goes beyond mere energy production, adopting a circular economy model that maximizes resource utilization, minimizes waste, and promotes sustainability. One of the most important strategies of this model is the integration of hydrothermal liquefaction ( HTL ) techniques, a key process that converts the wet biomass produced into biocrude.
An approach based on the circular economy
One of the most relevant aspects of the Cyclalg project is its approach to a microalgae biorefinery . By integrating advanced biomass valorization processes, the project plays a crucial role in maximizing the use of materials derived from microalgae and minimizing waste. This circular approach involves valorizing all byproducts generated in the cultivation and oil extraction process, thus contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability.
For example, some of the wastewater used during certain phases of the microalgae cultivation process can be reintegrated into the system as food for the algae themselves, increasing water resource efficiency. In this way, biofuel production not only becomes a cleaner energy source but also optimizes resource use, minimizing environmental impacts.
Financing and international collaboration
The Cyclalg project ran from 2014 to 2020, with a budget of €1,4 million , 65% of which was financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg VA Spain-France-Andorra Programme ( POCTEFA 2014-2020 ). This co-financing enabled cross-border cooperation between Spain and France in research on renewable energies and the sustainable production of biofuels.
During July 2017, a follow-up meeting was held at Cener's headquarters in Sarriguren (Navarra), where the project partners jointly reviewed the achievements made and defined the next steps to advance the research.
Innovative solutions and additional benefits
The Cyclalg project has introduced innovative solutions to advance the development of renewable energy. One of its strongest pillars is the environmental sustainability of the biodiesel production process, which not only aims to obtain energy efficiently but also considers waste reduction and the integration of byproducts.
In addition to biodiesel, microalgae have the potential to generate other high-value bioproducts , such as cosmetics, fertilizers, animal feed, and products for the chemical industry. This versatility makes microalgae a promising alternative for sectors such as third-generation biofuels and CO2 emissions reduction.
As the project progresses, the scalability of the process will also be assessed . If the results are positive, the techniques developed at Cyclalg could be extended to other industrial sectors affected by the need to reduce their carbon footprint.
The fact that microalgae do not compete with other crops for food production gives them a significant advantage over other sources of bioenergy, such as crops dedicated exclusively to the production of biofuels.
Finally, the use of microalgae for biofuel production, as discussed in Cyclalg, is seen as one of the most promising solutions to mitigate climate change and move towards a sustainable energy future.