TATA steel to make algae biofuel ! 4
Now Reliance will join the band wagon. And so will all other Chimney companies.
The local steelworks has become the testing ground in a worldwide race to convert algae into a special, environmentally friendly fuel that could eventually be worth GBP 15 billion.
In major tests being carried out at the works, researchers from Sheffield University have used the carbon dioxide in steel plant combustion gases to feed and grow algae.
( There goes John Bennemen, who says " Abandon all Hope" )
If they win the race at TATA they would be in the driving seat to develop fuel that is cheap, eco friendly and produces more per hectare than many other fuels.
Bosses from Tata Power, who are conducting similar trials in India, are monitoring the work in Scunthorpe by Professor Will Zimmerman and his team and scientists from TATA Steel in Swinden, Yorkshire. Two trials have already been carried out at Scunthorpe, and both are said to have gone well.
Adam Bennett, the Scunthorpe plant manager for energy operations, said that 'There's huge potential in this research and there could also be great benefits to the environment and our carbon dioxide emissions. If we can develop it, the process can be used with many of our combustion processes.'
Current forecasts predict 70 billion litres per year of fossil fuels could be replaced by algae biofuels worldwide in road transport and aviation by 2030, equating to a market value of more than GBP 15 billion. The plans come as efforts to build a straw-burning plant in Scawby Brook continue.
Blueprints for the unrelated site will be discussed at a public inquiry in December.
The winning formula to turn algae into 70 billion litres of bio fuel a year would require large scale plants, possibly next to industrial facilities located near the sea.
(Sourced from www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk)
Fri November 12 2010 04:27:08 AM by MiaFranceska
TATA steel | algae biofuel | Professor Will Zimmerman
718 views
This must be TATAs steel - a company they acquired - supposed to be a very large acquisition in UK. It is good news that an Indian company is making progress in UK.
Double benefit. Activities in both countries will go up for algae.
I am pretty much impressed with the knowledge and interest Mia and Arden have about India.
Professor Will Zimmerman got his inspiration for the award winning innovation, which boosts the growth of algae that turn sunlight and carbon dioxide into fuel, from the way children blow bubbles.
His system, which has already won the AXA Insurance Cleantech Open UK ideas competition, is cheaper and uses significantly less energy than existing technology ? saving up to 80 per cent in some cases.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/business/Green-fuels-bubbling-up.6626352.jp