On Thursday, May 4, Anxo Sánchez, professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Vigo, will present the conference entitled “Energetic use of algae“. The conference is part of the “Coffee with Salt” Scientific Conference Series and will take place in the ECIMAT auditorium at 11:00 am.
The scarcity of energy resources, external dependence and geopolitical instability in oil-producing areas have led many countries, including European ones, to increase the resources dedicated to the search for new energy sources, including renewable ones. One of these alternative fuel sources is algae, especially microalgae, which convert sunlight into energy by storing it in the form of oil and other substances of high economic value. Thus, biodiesel is synthesized from algae oil, while bioethanol is produced from carbohydrates. In addition, both synthesis processes generate waste that is useful for the manufacture of fuel pellets. The cultivation of microalgae has multiple advantages over other energy crops or the use of other types of biomass since its cultivation can occur in all types of conditions (different climates, types of water, etc.) and its production of biodiesel is much higher than that obtained through the cultivation of terrestrial plants.
Despite the aforementioned advantages and the fact that microalgae cultivation constitutes a clean, cheap and locally produced fuel source that can help reduce Spain’s dependence on foreign oil, a significant research effort is still necessary. During the conference, Anxo Sánchez will present the current situation and the research work that his research group is developing in the energy use of microalgae.
The conference will be broadcast live on UVigoTV and published later on our website.
See the Conference poster and the Complete Program of the Café con Sal Conference Series.
