PTT supports algae-based fuel
PTT Plc, the country's largest oil and gas conglomerate, has given financial support of Bt150 million for a research and development project for turning algae into a commercially viable biomass fuel as an alternative for the country's energy needs in the
Of the total, Bt50 million is for research and development and the remaining Bt150 million for technology development.
Chief executive officer Pailin Chuchottaworn said the company’s alternative-fuel development plan had been shifted from nuclear as this needs to 12-15 years for preparation and had been delayed after the tsunami in Japan in March.
“We are looking for other alternative fuels to substitute for nuclear. Biomass fuel produced from algae is one choice as it offers 30 times the productivity of oil palm. But no one has produced biomass from seaweed commercially,” he said
He added that PTT had an algaecultivation site in Perth, Australia, which produces high yields but not at a commercial level because of the high investment cost. In the next stage, the research will focus on singling out the types of algae that can grow well in Thailand and produce high amounts of usable fuel. Once that is achieved, he foresees the emergence of an environmentfriendly biofuel that could ensure national energy security.
Involved in the project since 2008, PTT expects to commercialise the algaebased energy by 2017. To promote the technology, it is taking the lead in sponsoring the second AsiaOceania Algae Innovation Summit in Bangkok next September. The conference, which is expected to welcome 500 participants from 25 countries, is devoted mainly to research and development into algae energy.
