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	View Edit Domain: BioEnergy Title: * Body: An Irish team of researchers has made a breakthrough in converting algae into biofuel which can be used in cars.New sources of biofuel are being researched as concerns have grown around biofuels made from crops. Biofuels derived from crops such as grain or oilseed have fallen out of favour due to concerns that they are pushing up food costs.<br /><br />Irish biofuels company AER and the National University of Ireland in Galway (NUIG) have developed the new technology, which converts algae to commercially-viable transport fuel. Enterprise Ireland co-funded the research and development work.<br /><br />Several major international companies, including Shell and Chevron, are investing in algae-to-biofuels facilities. AER plans to commercialise the technology for the world market in the near future. It is likely to seek to license the technology.<br /><br />John Travers, chief executive of AER, said that next-generation biofuels, would play a key part in meeting future energy needs in a sustainable way, without competing with food. AER got involved with the NUIG team, which is led by D r Patrick Murray, about 18 months ago.<br /><br />``There is still some additional development to be done but I guess the most important part of the puzzle has been solved in that we`ve proven the ability to convert it," said Travers.<br /><br />``Ireland`s coastline provides prolific growth of more than 500 species of algae, and certain microalgae can double in mass within a few days, under the right conditions," said Travers.<br /><br />``This represents a big step forward from current sources of biofuel feedstock, such as grain or oilseeds, which require the use of valuable land and take several months to grow fully."<br /><br />However, algae for biofuel would be better suited to warmer climates to grow it at very fast rates.<br /><br />It would be grown in controlled environments, rather than offshore.<br /><br />The EU commission has set targets to substitute 5.75 per cent of fossil fuels with biofuels by 2010.<br /><br />Several countries, including Britain, Germany and Spain, have introduced biofuels blending obligations to help meet these targets. Ireland is expected to introduce a similar obligation in 2009.<br /><br />AER is involved in next-generation biofuels development, as well as biofuel production projects in Europe, east Africa and central America.<br /><br /><br />© Post Publications Limited 2008 Captcha: Please Enter Code : * Time Zone: * Select the time zone Vocabularies Newsletter: Domain: Show summary in full view Input format Filtered HTML Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Full HTML Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. news_filter Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. More information about formatting options			Related Articles Bord Na Mona push to grow 5000ha of biofuel Irish waste-to-energy plant boasts energy efficiency Ireland - Farmers have to green up Irish castle installs biomass boiler UCC study looks at turning grass into gas Plan to turn grass into gas in the pipeline Bio-energy plant lost for 'lack of incentive' New bio-energy initiative launched More pain in store at pumps as 4pc biofuel target set Foster Seeks Views on Bioenergy Action Plan Top BioEnergy Articles

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