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MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2

Industrial-Scale Harvest and Transport of Seaweed for Biofuel

Awarded: NOK 5.9 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

226148

Project Period:

2013 - 2017

Large-scale cultivation of seaweed (macro algae) for conversion into biofuels has recently attracted increased attention. In order to become competitive and thus be able to displace conventional fuel, biofuels from seaweed must be farmed at low cost in ve ry high quantities. The size of a commercial-scale seaweed farm is expected to be in the range of 5000ha (50km2) yielding annually around 1 millions of tons of wet biomass. Recent experience from breeding, seeding and cultivation tests bring along a new development priority, namely the major logistic challenge related to harvest and delivery of seaweed to the biorefinery. This project targets the main technical challenges related to the seaweed harvest and transport, both with respect to energy- and cost -efficient processes. Overcoming this challenge will remove one of the last barriers to mass scale cultivation of seaweed, enabling seaweed to make a sustainable and major contribution to the future energy mix. At present stage of development, the challe nge is divided into two distinct work paths: (i) The development and field demonstration of a mechanised harvest process for seaweed cultivation farms; (ii) A convincing and well-substantiated vision upon how harvest sequences, vessels and machines can be optimised for future commercial phases. Both these milestones have not been tackled to date on a global basis. This project builds up on ongoing SES projects and is a precedence with respect to providing a tangible and quantifiable proof of harvest me thods of seaweed.

Funding scheme:

MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2