Overview
The decarbonisation of aviation requires new, scalable and cost-efficient feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This project evaluates the feasibility of producing low-cost microalgal lipids as a SAF feedstock using a newly developed Tilted Raceway System (TRS). Developed at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the TRS enables significantly higher biomass concentrations and areal productivities than conventional open raceway ponds, while requiring only slightly higher capital expenditure.
The project comprises a feasibility study on large-scale microalgae cultivation using TRS technology, including the evaluation of biological, technical and economic parameters. Key activities include the selection of suitable microalgae strains, modelling of biomass and lipid productivity, assessment of energy demand, and a detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA) of biomass and lipid production costs. The resulting data provide robust estimates of CAPEX, OPEX and specific feedstock costs and are benchmarked against the economic requirements of the HEFA process.
The project delivers a scientifically sound decision basis for Helvoil SA to assess TRS-based microalgae as a new, resource-independent and economically viable feedstock for SAF production, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable and competitive aviation fuels.
