Dr Ronald Halim leads €4M EU project, SusAlgaeFuel to make air travel greener

Air travel remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Algae-based biofuels present a promising solution to reduce the aviation sector's environmental footprint. Microalgae have the potential to generate large amounts of lipids, which can be converted into bio-kerosene. Compared to conventional jet fuels, algae-based fuels could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70%.

Conway Fellow, Dr Ronald Halim from UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering is leading a €4 million EU project (SusAlgaeFuel) that aims to use microalgae to upcycle digestate and CO₂ from anaerobic digestion into sustainable aviation fuels.

The SusAlgaeFuel project focuses on advancing innovative processes for producing cost-competitive and sustainable aviation fuel from microalgae. This initiative combines approaches such as direct carbon capture, nutrient recovery, and next-generation purification technologies. Research will be undertaken by three universities, one research organisation, and five SMEs across five countries: Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the UK. 

Prof. Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice President of Research, Innovation and Impact welcomed the consortium partners during the official SusAlgaeFuel project launch ceremony and kick-off meeting in UCD from 01 - 02 October 2024.

Prof. Robson highlighted the significance of UCD's role in coordinating this high-impact project saying, “SusAlgaeFuel brings together leading technology providers in microalgal cultivation and AI-driven sensor technology, alongside experts in biomass processing and aviation fuel synthesis. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to developing climate-friendly biofuels and will result in the construction of a pilot-scale microalgal facility at Ireland's largest biomethane producer, BIA Energy.”

Project coordinator, Dr Ronald Halim (pictured second from right) hosted the consortium partners at the university facilities, including a tour of UCD Conway Institute imaging core facility and the laboratory where his UCD Algae group is based.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Halim said, "Ultimately, the goal of SusAlgaeFuel is to cultivate microalgae using digestate and CO₂ emissions from anaerobic digestion and to convert this microalgal biomass into sustainable aviation fuel at a scalable level.  

The SusAlgaeFuel project began in May 2024 and will run for 48 months. The project has received funding from the European Union (Project ID: 101147601).

For further updates and information on SusAlgaeFuel, please visit www.susalgaefuel.eu.