Matís is a participant in the project Macrofuels (H2020 #654010) which is now coming to an end. The project was intended to examine the feasibility of using seaweed for the production of fuel for vehicles and covered all aspects of such production: seaweed cultivation; storage; pre-processing for the release of fermentable sugars; fermentation for the production of biofuels; and fuel engine testing.
This November, an important phase of the project was reached when a passenger car was driven on a fuel mixture produced by seaweed fermentation. Ten liters of bio-ethanol, produced by Macrofuels, were mixed with 90 liters of gasoline and a vehicle was driven on the mixture about 80 km. The chemical content of the exhaust was measured and the possible effects on the operation of the engine were monitored. All measurements showed that the properties of the fuel are comparable to conventional fuels.
Heat-loving microorganisms, isolated from Icelandic hot springs, have long been studied at Matís. The number, proximity and diversity of Icelandic hot springs is unique, and the microorganisms found there and the enzymes they produce are often adapted to high temperatures and very low acidity. These are the same conditions that often prevail in industrial biomass processing and are therefore (and their enzymes) very suitable for such utilization. Matís' participation within Macrofuels was to develop these microorganisms and their enzymes with the aim of maximizing the production of seaweed fuel. Seaweed used for fuel production in Macrofuels contains three sugars (alginate, laminarin and mannitol). Yeast, commonly used for bio-ethanol production, is only capable of utilizing one of these three sugars. Matís developed a thermophilic bacterial strain that utilizes all three sugars in the seaweed, with the aim of significantly increasing yields during production. The enzymes that Matís developed split the polysaccharides of seaweed into oligosaccharides and monosaccharides. Such pre-processing is necessary in order to ferment the sugars and produce biofuels.
Compared to other types of biomass, seaweed is very suitable for fuel production. Seaweed grows the fastest of all plants in northern areas, its cultivation does not compete with food production on arable land, and it contains a high proportion of fermentable sugars. There is an increasing emphasis on the use of biofuels and other sustainable energy sources instead of fossil fuels around the world. The results of the Macrofuels project indicate that bio-ethanol can be produced from seaweed, which has the same properties as conventional fuels.
Seaweed grows in large quantities in Iceland, but it is only practical to a small extent. In order to strengthen seaweed processing in Iceland, it is important to develop derivative products that can be created from the seaweed. This could lead to increased value creation and the strengthening of the economy, especially in rural Iceland. Development projects such as Macrofuels and Matís' participation are a step in this direction.