From Farm to Fuel: Microalgae Technology to Produce Novel and Sustainable Fuel

As the global population continues to surge, the agricultural landscape, particularly livestock farming, is emerging as a critical and indispensable sector within the food industry. However, the expansion of large-scale farms is accompanied by a significant increase in the production of organic waste, leading to a rise in diffuse greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane. Addressing this challenge presents a novel opportunity for farms and agricultural industries to adopt more efficient organic by-product management strategies. In response, a pioneering initiative in the LIFE SMART AgroMobility project has been ongoing in the province of Soria, Spain, since 2018. The primary objective of this European project is to showcase the viability of converting organic substrates, derived from agricultural activities, into biomethane through anaerobic digestion and photosynthetic enhancement. The overarching goal is to control reliance on fossil fuels within the transport sector associated with agricultural operations. This dual-purpose approach not only mitigates methane emissions into the atmosphere but also captures and repurposes it as an energy source. The innovative system proposed by the project centres around the modification of existing infrastructure, specifically pig slurry ponds, to create an anaerobic digester. Additionally, a biogas cleaning and purification system utilising the growth of microalgae ensures the sustainability of the entire process. Importantly, the design facilitates straightforward installation on farms with similar characteristics, promoting widespread adoption. This chapter delves into the economic aspects of implementing such a system, leveraging insights gained from the pilot project. The aim is to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis, detailing the costs associated with setting up installations of this nature. The ultimate aspiration is to create a replicable model adaptable to diverse facilities and scalable across different operational sizes within the agricultural sector. Through an examination of economic viability, this study aims to lay the groundwork for the extensive incorporation of sustainable methodologies in both agricultural waste management and energy production.