'Dream team' to join algae fuel project

The universities will work with the Carbon Trust to find a formula for cultivating 70bn litres of algae biofuel a year by 2030, which should then save more than 160m tonnes of CO2 annually.

The 11 institutions were selected from more than 80 initial proposals, following a competition. A total of 8m of public money is set to be ploughed into the scheme over the next three years.

Sheffield's project, meanwhile, will focus on choosing the best strain and species of microalgae.

Local project leader Dr Jim Gilmour said: "Choosing the correct strain and species of microalgae is crucial to the success of the algae biiofuels challenge.

"Our main aim will be to develop a set of experimental techniques that will allow the identification of suitable algal strains.

"As well as producing high levels of lipids, the microalgae we aim to identify must also have high photosynthetic efficiency, ease of harvesting from relatively dilute cell suspensions and the ability to grow in outdoor ponds without becoming contaminated with other microbes."

Next year, the Carbon Trust plans to start the construction of a pilot demonstration plant in an equatorial region where algae are most productive.

Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay said: "We have pulled together a dream team of over 70 UK algae scientists who have the expert knowledge to turn algae into a British biofuel success story.

"Applying principles this country has developed from its proud agricultural heritage and leading bioscience expertise, we will be developing a truly sustainable biofuel that could provide up to 80 per cent carbon savings compared to diesel savings in car and jet fuel.

"With a market value of over 15bn the potential rewards are high."