Mediterranean countries consortium promotes biodiesel production

A consortium of 12 organisations from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Lebanon and Egypt has been set up to study biodiesel production from algae in selected Mediterranean countries.

The consortium is coordinated by the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus in collaboration with the Cyprus Energy Agency. The project ”Production of biofuels from microalgae in selected Mediterranean Countries” is funded by the Programme ENPI European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Mediterranean Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme.

According to a press release, on 19-20 January 2012 the kick off meeting of the MED ALGAE project was held in Nicosia, launching this technologically important project that will provide valuable data for future of biofuel production

This is a new technology project which can contribute to the goals of the EU strategy on ”Climate change and energy.” The methodology includes all stages in the production of biodiesel from microalgae: sampling of seawater or freshwater, the selection of microalgae, species identification, cultivation of microalgae, harvesting and extraction of biodiesel and determination of properties of biodiesel produced in accordance with Standard EN14214 and its testing. 

The project will create a new value chain for the production of renewable liquid fuels based on microalgae, aiming transport and valuable products. The goal will be achieved through local and regional collaboration between research institutions, enterprises (SMEs) and public and private sectors. 

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