Use of solar energy for CO2 capture, algae cultivation and hydrogen production

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The project proposal is result of a co-operation between the Bioforsk -the Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). They will collaborate with Ben-Gurion University, Israel on spe cific research activities. More comprehensive outputs will be achieved by using results from an ongoing co-operation project between Bioforsk, Uppsala University and IIT Kharagpur in India, also on Biohydrogen from algae, financed by the Norwegian Ministr y of Foreign Affairs ("India project",Nov.2008-Nov. 2011).The project concept combines transformation of solar energy to algal biomass through algae's photosynthesis, use and capture of CO2 from flue gas from industry and production of H2 from algal cultu res under stress conditions. The project will establish procedures and generate knowledge for optimal production of algal biomass. Furthermore, it will generate knowledge and methods necessary for an economical and environmental sustainable production of hydrogen gas from solar energy by using green algae. The main project goals will be achieved by building on and developing further knowledge about algae cultivation under optimal conditions for growth, use of operational photobioeactors, including one pro totypedeveloped within said India project, use of selected green algae species in the photobioreactors to determine the capacity of photobiological CO2 capture. The project will have strong focus on internationalization, network building and internationa l co-operation. The long term perspective with regard to algae cultivation and H2 production from green algae is the building of large-scale bioreactors for the purpose of commercial production of algae, H2 and use of algal biomass for industrial purpose s.