BP partners with US firm to study use of algae in biodiesel production

BP believes sugar to diesel technology using algae has the potential to deliver economic, sustainable and scaleable biodiesel supplies, and unlike biofuels made from food crops, algae can be grown on non-arable land using seawater or wastewater. This is considered to be environmentally, ecologically and socially more desirable than biofuels made from food crops, which have been blamed for rising food prices.

It is thought that algae could deliver six to 10 times more energy per hectare than conventional cropland biofuels, whilst reducing carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent relative to fossil fuels.

BP has so far agreed to fund up to $10 million (£6 million) of the first phase of the collaboration with Martek, which will provide its expertise in microbial oil production and perform the biotechnology research and development. BP will bring its production and commercialisation experience in biofuels to the table, which will include getting the fuels integration within the biofuels value chain.

The technology behind the sugar to biodiesel conversion process uses advanced biological science to convert sugars derived from biomass into lipids using unique fermentation micro-organisms; the lipids are then converted into fuel molecules through chemical or thermocatalytic processes.

"In partnering with Martek, we combine the world's leading know-how in microbial lipid production with our expertise in fuels markets and applications, and our more recent experience in biofuels production and commercialisation," said Philip New, ceo BP Biofuels. "This technology is also a perfect fit with our other strategic choices for biofuels, all based on sustainable feedstocks and fermentation to produce advanced biofuels. It is part of our approach of integrating sugar cane and lignocellulosic biofuels with advanced technologies to produce products with a wide range of uses."

BP's move follows the launch last October by the Carbon Trust of a multi- million pound fund to develop a commercial market for algae biofuels. The project called the Algae Biofuels Challenge is the biggest one of its kind in the world and the most ambitious and highlights the urgency for the UK to develop carbon neutral fuels if it is to meet its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Transport accounts for one-quarter of the UK's carbon emissions and is growing at a faster rate then any other sector.