International Workshop on Sustainable Bioenergy from Algae
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Bioenergy > Algae/Events > International Workshop "Aquatic Biomass: Sustainable Bioenergy from Algae?"
This page provides information about the International Workshop "Aquatic Biomass: Sustainable Bioenergy from Algae?" held in Berlin, Germany, 2 November 2009.
Background
Bioenergy will play a major role within a global sustainable energy system. The main feedstocks for bioenergy are – in addition to biogenic residues and wastes – cultivated energy crops (if sustainably grown). Although about three quarters of the earth´s surface is covered by oceans, only a relatively small amount of marine biomass is used today (e.g. fisheries, algae used for food and cosmetics).
The current level of exploitation already causes serious problems in some regions of the world and, in accordance with international agreements (e.g. the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the OSPAR Convention), any further intensification of aquatic biomass production must comply with sustainability requirements.
However, the potential of sustainably provided aquatic biomass (micro- and macro-algae, seaweeds) for energy has been barely investigated so far, compared to terrestrial production. In addition, land-based production of bioenergy from algae could be a future resource.
Objectives
The workshop brought together key representatives from countries active in research and development of algae-based bioenergy. They presented and discussed the current status and future options of algae use, introduced technology prospects and environmental and development issues. From that, open questions were identified, and perspectives for further work considered.
The workshop was co-funded by two German research projects of Oeko-Institut: Bio-global (sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Environment through the Federal Environment Agency) and conCISEnet (sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Research).
A Workshop Input Paper (PDF, 1.1 MB) was prepared, and workshop proceedings documenting all contributions, discussions, and outcomes are made available here on the BioenergyWiki.
Agenda and Presentations
Session 1: Welcome and Introduction
- Welcome and Overview of Workshop Objectives - Almut Jering (UBA, Germany) - see the Workshop Outcome Report
Session 2: Status of Algae Research, Activities and Practical Experiences
Chair: Olaf Kruse (University of Bielefeld, Germany); Rapporteur: Suzanne Hunt (HuntGreen LLC, USA)
Session 2.1: Microalgae
- Bioenergy from micro-algae: potentials and problems; Part One 1.3 MB and Part Two 1.8 MB Prof. Avigad Vonshak (Director, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)
- Recent developments on microalgae cultivation in Brazil to produce biofuels; Part One 1.3 MB and Part Two 1.7 MB Sergio Lourenco (Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil)
- Algae Redux: The return of a US algae R&D effort; John Sheehan (Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota, USA) 1.8 MB
- Microalgae research in Thailand and Southeast Asia; Boosya Bunnag (King Mongkut's University of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand) 1.2 MB
- Questions and Discussion, moderated by the session chair: see Workshop Outcome Report
Session 2.2: Macroalgae
- Overview on European experiences and projects on mass cultivation of sea-weeds (marine macroalgae) as a renewable energy biomass; Part One 1.9 MB and Part Two 1.2 MB Klaus Lüning (Sylter Algenfarm GmbH & Co.KG, Germany)
- Potential and challenges for biofuels production in Latin America (experiences form Chile and Mexico);1.5 MB Renato Morchio (Sur Solutions, Chile), Carlos Caceres (CELA, Chile)
- Pulp and Paper - Bio-ethanol made from Red Algae (Korea); Part One 1 MB and Part Two 1.2 MB Hack-Churl You (1Pegasus International Inc., Korea)
- Questions and Discussion, moderated by the session chair: see Workshop Outcome Report
Session 3: Potentials, Economics and Perspectives – parallel Working Groups
WG I: Microalgae
WG Chair: Christian Wilhelm (Leipzig University,Germany); WG Rapporteur: Boosya Bunnag (King Mongkut's University of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand)
- Input statement: Energy Efficiency and Potential; 117 kB Anja Eggert (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Germany)
- Input statement: Technical and Economic Restrictions; 1 MB Otto Pulz (Institute for Cereal Processing, IGV, Germany)
WG II: Macroalgae
WG Chair: Klaus Lüning (Sylter Algenfarm GmbH & Co.KG, Germany); WG Rapporteur: Renato Morchio (Sur Solutions, Chile)
- Input statement: New uses and potentials: Macro-Algae as Bioproducts & Bioenergy; Part One 1.6 MB and Part Two 2 MB Roberto Marcos (Consultora Los Lagos, Ltd./Algamar S.A., Mexico)
- Input statement: Perspectives in developing countries; Alessandro Flammini (GBEP Secretariat, FAO, Italy) 0.2 MB
Session 4: Environment and Sustainable Use – parallel Working Groups
- Environmental challenges of algae biofuels; Part One 1.9 MB and Part Two 1.1 MB and Part Three 1.6 MB and Part Four 1.2 MB and Part Five 2 MB and Part Six 1.7 MB and Part Seven 2 MB by Catherine Ryan (Terrapin Bright Green, Washington DC, USA)
WG I: Microalgae
WG Chair: Christian Wilhelm (Leipzig University, Germany); WG Rapporteur: Suzanne Hunt (HuntGreen LLC, USA)
- Input statement: Example of combined production of material and energy; Part One 1.8 MB and Part Two 1.6 MB Jorge Kaloustian (Oil Fox, Argentina)
WG II: Macroalgae
WG Chair: Klaus Lüning (Sylter Algenfarm GmbH & Co.KG, Germany); WG Rapporteur: Renato Morchio (Sur Solutions, Chile)
- Input statement: Off-shore cultivation of macroalgae – risk for eco-systems and biodiversity; Ariane Breucker ([ http://www.bfn.de BfN], Germany)
- Results from working groups in Session 3 and 4; Presentations by WG Rapporteurs; questions and discussion, moderated by Klaus Hennenberg (Öko-Institut)
For the entire session, see Workshop Outcome Report
Session 5: Next Steps / Future Challenges
- Uwe Fritsche (Öko-Institut) - see Workshop Outcome Report
Some of the next steps and future challenges discussed included possible impacts of algae bioenergy operations on natural ecosystems, the need to dramatically improve algae fuel yields, and the problem of overly optimistic expectations for the role of algae that may be difficult to meet.[1]
Workshop Outcome
The Workshop Outcome Report (0.1 MB) summarizes all discussions in the plenary and the working groups.
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