Murdoch Biofuel expert at AlgaeWorld Asia

Murdoch University’s Biofuel expert, Professor Michael Borowitzka, is speaking at the AlgaeWorld Asia 2009 conference in Bangkok next week.

Professor Borowitzka, Director of the Algae R&D Center, leads international research turning algae into clean fuel and was part of the team that designed and built what is now the largest microalgae production plant in the world, the Dunaliella salina plant at Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia.

The second AlgaeWorld Asia, run by the Centre for Management Technology (CMT), will address pertinent issues relating to large-scale commercialisation of algae production.

Professor Borowitzka joins the panel of top international experienced cultivators and renowned algal biotechnology scientists who will speak about the technical, commercial and financial challenges of algae production.

Professor Borowitzka said the Murdoch team had achieved high productivities in outdoor algae culture trials as well as new and improved cost-effective methods of harvesting algae and extracting the oils that had been developed and tested in laboratory-scale trials.

“These processes and their integration in the overall process are essential for the economical production of biofuels and are very advanced,” Professor Borowitzka said.

“At Murdoch University we have detailed economic modelling based on the comprehensive long-term studies to date, which are being used to guide further research priorities to ensure the development of a cost-effective process.

“The work so far has significantly reduced the projected production costs, however further reduction in the production cost is necessary to make the process commercially viable.”

Algae World Asia 2009 will look at a broad-range of algae applications including the high value products for human and animal nutrition, algae's role in carbon capture and recycle, and bioremediation, to highlight the opportunities in these areas.

The conference also looks beyond the hype around algal biofuel and will offer realistic approaches on making it happen.