Volkswagen AG managing new 6M euro research project on drop-in bio-catalytic solar fuels
Volkswagen AG is coordinating a new 6 million research project to advance the bio-catalytic production of drop-in liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels, requiring only sunlight C02 and water. The approach of the system would significantly improve the costs and energy balances of the production of the drop in renewable fuels, as only a minimum of nutrients is required for self-replication of the bio-catalyst, while cell harvesting, dying and lipid extraction is omitted. The project has been launched under the Horizon 2020 program.&nbsp;
The basic approach of the new 4-year Photofuel project is to develop and to advance microbes (the biocatalysts) that will directly excrete hydrocarbon and long-chain alcohol fuel compounds to the growth medium, from which the fuels are separated, without the need to harvest biomass. This basic concept is in line with the fundamental approach (CO 2 + water + renewable energy → drop-in fuels) being taken by Audi (a member of the Volkswagen Group) in its e-fuels initiatives. ( Earlier post .)

Volkswagen AG is coordinating a new €6-million (US$6.7-million) research project, selected for funding under the Horizon 2020 Programme, to advance the biocatalytic production of drop-in liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels, requiring only sunlight, CO 2 and water.

(Audi already has some background in the Photofuel domain through its partnership with Joule for the direct production of e-ethanol and e-diesel hydrocarbons (n-alkanes) from photosynthetic cyanobacteria.)

The biocatalytic approach would significantly improve the costs and energy balances of the production of drop-in renewable fuels, as only a minimum of nutrients is required for self-replication of the biocatalyst, while cell harvesting, drying and lipid extraction is omitted.

Horizon 2020

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) TRL 1 Basic principles observed TRL 2 Technology concept formulated TRL 3 Experimental proof of concept TRL 4 Technology validated in lab TRL 5 Technology validated in relevant environment TRL 6 Technology demonstrated in relevant environment TRL 7 System prototype demonstration in operational environment TRL 8 System complete and qualified TRL 9 Actual system proven in operational environment

Such minimum-input systems are compatible with operation on degraded or desert land, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of most of the currently available biofuel technologies.

To set a benchmark for alternative solar fuels, three research groups in Photofuel will collaborate in the advancement of the biocatalysts from TRL 3 (experimental proof of concept). The best biocatalytic system(s) will then be up-scaled and operated outdoors in photobioreactors modified for direct fuel separation at a scale of several cubic meters (TRL 4-5; technology validated in lab-technology validated in relevant environment).

The identification of optimal future fuel blends with a fossil fuel base and Photofuel biofuels as additives, as well as the analysis of performance and emissions in car or truck engines, will be evaluated by the oil- and automotive-industry partners.

The entire pathway will be assessed for environmental and economic performance as well as social acceptance of large scale production in rural communities and by the consumer. All results will be combined to a business development plan, which clearly identifies the opportunities but also the challenges prior to an economic fuel production in compliance to the EC Fuel Quality Directive.

In addition to the Volkswagen Group, participants in Photofuel include: