Photofuel

Project description

The overall objective of Photofuel is to develop an innovative technology for the biocatalytic production of a solar fuel and to assess the impacts of this novel approach on fuel composition, engine performance but also on humans and the environment. The approach of this new technology is to directly produce alcanes and alcohols by microorganisms. To achieve this, phototrophic algae or cyanobacterial microorganisms are enabled to convert solar energy, water and CO2 into a drop-in fuel. This instant production of an engine-ready fuel improves the energy efficiency of several steps along the production chain.

The activities are carried out as part of a joint industrial and academic consortium that encompasses an interdisciplinary team of all central and highly diverse areas of engineering (biology, chemistry, engines development, etc.) and social sciences. Therefore, the project is subdivided into seven work packages (see project scheme).

Ecological and economic impacts of the Photofuel technology will be analyzed and potential risks on society will be identified and assessed, led by ITAS (work package 6). One main objective is the elaboration of prospective LCA studies abstracting the Photofuel process in comparison to existing technologies of fuel production from fossil as well as biogenic resources. Another focus is on the sociological analyses of the perceptions for chances and challenges of the Photofuel technology. These analyses are carried out through stakeholder workshops with participatory methods. In the context of work package 6, the studies will be conducted in cooperation with IFPEN, VW and Volvo.

Website of the project: www.photofuel.eu

Publikationen


2021
Journal Articles
Wichmann, J.; Lauersen, K. J.; Biondi, N.; Christensen, M.; Guerra, T.; Hellgardt, K.; Kühner, S.; Kuronen, M.; Lindberg, P.; Rösch, C.; Yunus, I. S.; Jones, P.; Lindblad, P.; Kruse, O.
Engineering Biocatalytic Solar Fuel Production: The PHOTOFUEL Consortium
2021. Trends in biotechnology, 39 (4), 323–327. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.01.003
2019
Presentations
Moore, K.; Rösch, C.
Life cycle assessment on microalgae biofuel production scenario - The Italian case study of N. oceania
2019. 9th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (AlgalBBB 2019), Boulder, CO, USA, June 17–19, 2019 
Moore, K.; Rösch, C.
Comparison of LCA on biofuel production from first (food crop) and third generation biofuels (microalgae)
2019. International Conference AlgaEurope (2019), Paris, France, December 3–5, 2019 
Onorato, C.; Rösch, C.
Comparative environmental and economic assessment of the production of natural astaxanthin in different photobioreactors
2019. International Conference AlgaEurope (2019), Paris, France, December 3–5, 2019 
Rösch, C.
Genome Editing - Brauchen wir einen neuen gesellschaftlichen Diskurs?
2019. Workshop “Genome Editing in den Pflanzen- und Umweltwissenschaften” (2019), Stuttgart, Germany, November 4, 2019 
Rösch, C.
Approach to reduce LCA uncertainties on technologies with low TRL level
2019. Workshop “LCA on Upscaled Algae Production: Challenges of Data Gaps and Modelling” (2019), Frankfurt am Main, Germany, September 24, 2019 
Posters
Varela Villarreal, J.; Moore, K.; Rösch, C.
Acceptance of using genetically modified microalgae for an improved biofuel production. Opinion of European Citizens
2019. 9th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (AlgalBBB 2019), Boulder, CO, USA, June 17–19, 2019 
2018
Presentations
Rösch, C.
Challenges of prospective LCA on up-scaled biocatalytic production of algal fuels
2018. 11. Bundesalgenstammtisch (2018), Karlsruhe, Germany, September 27–28, 2018 
Rösch, C.; Varela Villarreal, J.
Experts opinion on biocatalytic solar biofuels produced with genetically engineered microalgae
2018. 8th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (2018), Seattle, WA, USA, June 11–13, 2018 
Posters
Varela Villarreal, J.; Rösch, C.
Biokraftstoffproduktion mit gentechnisch veränderten Mikroalgen - Umfrage zum Meinungsbild europäischer Experten
2018. 11. Bundesalgenstammtisch (2018), Karlsruhe, Germany, September 27–28, 2018 
Villacreses Freire, D.; Ketzer, F.; Rösch, C.
Life cycle assessment of biocatalytic production of 1-butanol with synechocystis
2018. AlgaEurope (2018), Amsterdam, Netherlands, December 4–6, 2018 
2017
Presentations
Rösch, C.; Scholz, L.
Layperson’s risk percpetion of genetically modiefied algae used for biofuel production
2017. 7th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (2017), Miami, FL, USA, June 18–21, 2017 
Rösch, C.; Skarka, J.
Sustainability criteria for a comprehensive assessment of algal technology
2017. 7th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (2017), Miami, FL, USA, June 18–21, 2017 
Posters
Varela Villarreal, J.; Rösch, C.
Acceptance of genetically modified microalgae for next generation biofuel production
2017. AlgaEurope (2017), Berlin, Germany, December 5–7, 2017 
Varela Villarreal, J.; Rösch, C.
Acceptance of genetically engineered microalgae for next generation biofuel production
2017. AlgaEurope 2017, Berlin, 5.-7.Dezember 2017 
2016
Presentations
Rösch, C.; Ketzer, F.
LCA design of photofuel
2016. Photofuel Project Meeting, Uppsala, S, April 13-14, 2016 

Contact

Dr. Christine Rösch
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)
P.O. Box 3640
76021 Karlsruhe
Germany

Tel.: +49 721 608-22704
E-mail