Laboratory in the sea and oxygen from nowhere

As global efforts address the challenge of carbon emissions, more and more options are being sought to capture carbon dioxide. In this context, there is a new and promising alternative that is gaining ground within Spanish territory, which is… MicroalgaeIt is characterized by its ability to contribute significantly to mitigating the effects of climate change.

These organizations offer a wide range of innovative alternatives

The Canary Islands Technological Institute (ITC) and Endesa have collaborated on an ambitious project that seeks to harness the potential of a particular ingredient as a carbon dioxide (CO2) collector. The initiative, recently presented by the Government of the Canary Islands, aims to study the use of these marine organisms to sequester carbon dioxide from combustion gases in the thermal power plant located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, on the island of Gran Canaria.

Microalgae has emerged as a promising solution in… Combating climate change Due to its unique ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

This partnership between ITC, a benchmark for technological research and development in the Canary Islands, and Endesa, one of Spain's main energy companies, represents an important step towards the search for sustainable alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The project will not only focus on carbon dioxide capture, but will also look into its impact Biotechnological potential of microalgae. These marine plant organisms offer a wide range of possibilities in areas such as biofuel production, production of chemical and pharmaceutical products, as well as animal and human nutrition.

In this way microalgae improves air quality

Microalgae are known for their ability to perform photosynthesis, the process by which… They use sunlight as an energy source Carbon dioxide is a source of carbon in food. During this metabolic process, microalgae generate oxygen as a byproduct, which contributes to improved air quality.

By directing the combustion gases towards the ponds or reactors in which the microalgae are grown, Endesa ensures the absorption of the carbon dioxide contained in the said gases. This capture of carbon dioxide not only prevents its release into the atmosphere, thus reducing polluting emissions, but also provides an effective solution to address the challenge of increasing carbon dioxide in the environment.

One of the most prominent aspects of this initiative is its economic impact. Traditionally, the additional supply of carbon dioxide for microalgae cultivation has been a significant cost for companies. However, by utilizing combustion gases as a source of carbon dioxide, Endesa has been able to significantly reduce the cost of growing microalgae.

Endesa is leading a revolutionary initiative in Gran Canaria: growing microalgae to reduce carbon dioxide

This innovative initiative has a clear goal: to evaluate the technical feasibility of utilizing the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the thermal power plant to grow microalgae. Likely outcome? A smart solution to reduce CO2 emissions and generate biomass sustainably.

The pilot plant is equipped with a specialized laboratory unit. Dedicated to monitoring crops and analyzing the biochemical composition of biomass. In addition, it contains two greenhouses containing different microalgae cultivation systems, providing an ideal environment for the growth and development of these small but powerful plants.

Luis Varela, Endesa Production Manager in Gran Canaria, emphasized the uniqueness of this project as a response to the complexity of carbon dioxide capture. Through a series of rigorous experiments and tests, we seek not only to determine the technical feasibility of this approach, but also to explore its potential benefits.

A project to grow these organisms to capture carbon dioxide in Gran Canaria is a promising initiative in the fight against climate change. By taking advantage of the unique capabilities of Microalgae to absorb carbon dioxideIt seeks to reduce polluting emissions and explore their potential economic and biotechnological benefits.