Using biowaste and CO2 to produce biogas from algae: the experimental plant of the B4B FP7 Project in Augusta (Sicily, Italy)

1. Introduction – GHG emissions, eutrophication and energy dependence are problems that the EU will have to face in the near future. The BioWALK4Biofuels (B4B) FP7 project aims to find a common response to these challenges by taking advantage of spontaneous biological processes: the growth of algae and the anaerobic digestion of biomass. Biowaste and carbon dioxide will be introduced into the cultivation tanks by reason of their ability to stimulate algal growth; algal biomass will keep growing and reproducing for an appropriate period of time and then be harvested, chopped and fed into the anaerobic digestion process. The main features of the project are: a. The use of macroalgae as an interface between biowaste and energy production to allow a direct utilization of biowaste, obtaining at the same time positive externalities; b. Macroalgae can be directly used in biodigestors to produce energy without the need for mixing with other cereal crops.