The COSEC project will be spearheaded by a collaborative, multi-disciplinary consortium of 13 partners, from 6 European countries. This consortium is strategically designed to encompass the entire bioenergy production value chain, bringing together both research (CCMAR, CENER, CeNTI, CERTH, GCL, UAL, ULPGC and UVa) and industry partners (CC, NECTON and QUBE). This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic development process, guaranteeing the effective exploitation of the innovative solution, which can be exported to multiple regions in the World. Robust sustainability and social assessment by RINA-C and timely dissemination of this innovation by T2M will facilitate seamless integration of this development into the broader European circular ecosystem. Collectively, the consortium partners boast a diverse array of expertise, covering every aspect necessary for the creation of a sustainable, resilient, and systemic circular solution tailored for the EU's bioenergy sector.

CyanoCapture (CC)

CyanoCapture (CC) is a climate tech and sustainable materials company pioneering in development of industrial cyanobacteria strains for developing scalable and affordable Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Carbon dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies. The core technology uses adaptive lab evolution (ALE) and synthetic biology to manipulate the genetic machinery of the fast-growing cyanobacterial strains for enhancing the CO2 capture and conversion into carbon sequestration and/or circular biomaterials. In COSEC, CC will lead two key objectives (1) develop ALE strains to boost cyanobacteria resistance to flue gas toxicity with simultaneous ability to assimilate nutrients from effluents generated in biomass conversion (2) lead the pilot-scale implementation (TRL 5) in collaboration with Qube and Necton. The pilot demonstration will include establishing and operation of a 10 tCO2/y capture directly from a biogas combustion system, followed by the transformation of captured CO2 into energy carriers. The data generated in this industrially relevant environment will enhance technology transition directly applicable to the European energy industry.

Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR)

Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), a leading marine research center in Portugal, is advancing marine ecosystem sustainability, conservation, and aquaculture. In COSEC, CCMAR, leveraging its microalgae and cyanobacteria culture collection, aims to enhance strains that can efficiently utilize waste streams and withstand flue gas toxicity while accumulating high lipid levels. In collaboration with CC, CCMAR will develop at least 10 promising strains (5 microalgae, 5 cyanobacteria) using adaptive evolution, gradually increasing effluent concentration to improve their resilience to biogenic flue gases and high lipid production. Concurrently, random mutagenesis will be applied to improve flue gas resistance and lipid production, selecting strains on media with high ammonium, volatile fatty acids, and sulphate. The adaptive evolution and mutagenesis will complement each method and significantly derisk the failure to obtain improved strains via one method.

The National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain (CENER)

The National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain (CENER) develops applied research in renewable energies, and provides technological support to companies and energy institutions in five areas: wind, solar thermal and photovoltaic solar energy, biomass, energy transition in cities, and grid integration, electrical storage and hydrogen. CENER is a technology centre with worldwide recognized prestige, activity and experience. It started its activity in 2002, and has nowadays more than 200 researchers, carrying out activities on the five continents.The Board of Trustees is comprised of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Ciemat, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and the regional Government of Navarre.CENER Biomass Area performs applied research activities in the field of biomass, providing R&D services and technical assistance to all agents of the sector. The area is focused on the development & optimization of production processes of bioproducts, solid biofuels, advanced liquid or gaseous biofuels, as well as biorefinery concepts. Indeed, the main pillars are focused on biofuels, bioprocesses and comprehensive. techno-economical and sustainability assessments. The main infrastructures in this Area include the Biomass Laboratory: biomass & biofuels characterization and process development at lab scale (www.bio2c.es/laboratories/), as well as the Biorefinery and Bioenergy Centre (BIO2C); www.bio2c.es.The Biorefinery and Bioenergy Centre (BIO2C) is a semi-industrial pilot scale test facility able to develop production processes for bioproducts, solid biofuels, advanced liquid or gaseous biofuels, as well as biorefinery concepts integrating different valorization routes, as an intermediate step between laboratory and the industrial scale-up of these technologies. The Centre constitutes an integrated trial and demonstration platform designed to develop processes, equipment and specific components, new bio-products or biofuels and bio-refinery concepts. In COSEC project, CENER leads the WP4. The main goal is to demonstrate the viability of Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) process for algae in continuous mode (TRL 5), producing a HTL biocrude batch of 30L as clean as possible. Afterwards, CERTH will assess its potential as precursor of a drop-in liquid fuel through sustainable upgrading methods. Likewise, CENER will produce in HTL process other by-products (aqueous phase, biochar and gas), on which will be assessed their recycling inside other WPs by other partners, aiming to achieve a circular HTL process without waste generating.

Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (CeNTI)

Founded in 2006, CeNTI - Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials is a private, non-profit, recognized Centre for Technology and Innovation (CTI), located in northern part of Portugal. With a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary orientation, CeNTI is equipped with cutting-edge technology, and provides, in a B2B approach, applied R&D activities for industrial endogenization, product engineering and technology transfer of disruptive technologies across different sectors, including "Automotive & Aeronautics", "Construction, Architecture & Smart Buildings", "Health, Protection & Well-being" and ?Energy production and storage?. In the context of COSEC, CeNTI will implement hydrochar, a byproduct of algae biomass conversion to biocrude using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), as a catalyst support in electrodes of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers for hydrogen production. Hydrochar activation will be optimized to tune its properties for electrode applications. Catalyst dispersion process in hydrochar is then selected, followed by the study of the electrode assembly with the membrane. This electrode-membrane assembly will be characterized and integrated in a laboratory-scale electrolyser to evaluate its performance and viability.

Ethnicko Kentro Erevnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis (CERTH)

CERTH, the Center for Research and Technology Hellas was founded in March 2000 with a main mission to promote the innovative research for the benefit of society. Dedicated to this purpose, CERTH lies at the forefront of basic, applied and technological research to provide solutions to society?s modern challenges, enabling dynamic collaborations with industry as well as synergies with top academic/research institutions. A strong emphasis is placed on research and technological priorities consistent with the emerging areas of future industrial and market activity, towards novel low-carbon fuel technologies. Furthermore, CERTH focuses on optimizing novel catalytic processes of sustainable fuels production from municipal, agricultural, forestry and industrial wastes as well as from bio-based sources not competing with food or feed such as micro-algae, macro-algae and energy crops. In COSEC project CERTH will contribute in WP4 and in particular towards the investigated process optimization via the mild hydrotreatment upgrading of HTL biocrude with renewable H2 for refinery intermediate production. Moreover, CERTH will evaluate the upgraded biocrude as a drop-in fuel for the marine sector, according to the specifications for bunker fuels.

GreenCoLab (GCL)

GreenCoLab (GCL), based in Portugal, is a non-profit private organisation and collaborative platform bridging research and industry with a focus on the entire algae value chain. GCL partners with industry and academic organisations to advance projects that reduce environmental impact and promote renewable resource utilisation. With expertise in algae cultivation, biomass processing, agricultural applications, and life cycle analysis of algae bioprocesses, GCL supports sustainable development by driving algae-based solutions for different sectors, fostering a sustainable future through its multidisciplinary approach. In COSEC, GCL contributes its expertise and infrastructure to bolster the sustainable conversion of algae biomass. Equipped with a pilot-scale high-pressure homogeniser (HPH) and advanced cell disruption capabilities, GCL will lead the production of biomass fractions suited for bioenergy production, including the generation of biocrude and biogas. Additionally, GCL?s efforts will yield nitrogen-rich aqueous extracts, which hold significant promise as biostimulants in agricultural settings, offering a sustainable means to boost crop resilience.

Necton S.A. (NECTON)

Necton S.A., a leading European microalgae producer since 1997, has become one of the largest in 2023. The company has extensive expertise in aquaculture, cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and bioenergy. Following the acquisition of Allmicroalgae S.A., Necton operates diverse cultivation technologies, including open ponds, photobioreactors, and fermenters. Their technology enables the cultivation of various freshwater, marine, and hypersaline microalgae, covering around 30 species like Nannochloropsis oceanica, Tisochrysis lutea, Chlorella vulgaris, and Spirulina. Continuous R&D, supported by national and European projects, along with partnerships with universities and research centers, has cemented Necton's status in microalgae biotechnology. In COSEC, Necton will optimize the fixation of nutrients from agricultural drainwater and produce feedstock for other partners. Additionally, Necton will optimize the growth of selected strains isolated from the waste streams and validate their growth in 300-L raceway ponds under outdoor conditions to ascertain their productivity and resilience. Additionally, Necton will play a key role in designing, implementing, testing, and validating a new pilot plant for direct CO2 fixation, integrated with a biocrude and biomethane combustion systems, to be installed at Necton?s site in Tavira. In this way, the CO2 produced during the combustion will be reintroduced in the production of biomass, promoting circularity.

Qube Renewables (QUBE)

Qube Renewables is a leader in waste management specializing in innovative, modular anaerobic digestion solutions that transform organic waste into renewable energy - biogas and byproducts like digestate. Our scalable digesters?available in units like the bioQUBE, dryQUBE, powerQUBE, and lagoonQUBE?serve sectors from agriculture to humanitarian projects, enabling efficient waste management, energy production, and sustainable practices worldwide. Qube's systems are compact, adaptable, and remote-operable, designed to address unique waste treatment needs on-site. We have a presence across the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific - India and Singapore, and North America. Within COSEC, Qube Renewables plays a pivotal role in demonstrating the R&D finding from different partners on a pilot small scale anaerobic digestion system. Qube will lead the procurement and installation of the plant in Portugal. The data and findings of the process will be helpful for the energy sector and strengthen the technology on carbon fixation.

RINA Consulting s.p.a (RINA-C)

RINA Consulting s.p.a is a global team of over 5,800 professionals dedicated to simplifying the complexities of energy transition, ESG, and digitalization. With origins tracing back to ?Registro Italiano Navale,? one of the world's earliest ship classification registers, RINA has evolved to provide a wide range of testing, inspection, certification, and engineering solutions across sectors such as marine, energy, and mobility. The company offers comprehensive services for various energy sector plants and infrastructures, including site characterization, advisory services, engineering, inspections, and site supervision. RINA?s extensive expertise encompasses permitting, health, safety, and environmental (HSE) considerations, as well as materials science. Through active participation in numerous European research projects, RINA is positioned as a key player in the ongoing energy transition, working to develop sustainable solutions that enhance the quality of life for future generations. RINA role within COSEC project will focus on sustainability assessments, exploitation strategies, and cost-benefit analyses. In particular, RINA will conduct comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of biogenic CO2 capture throughout the entire value chain, including upstream and downstream activities, as well as end-of-life considerations. RINA will also perform Social Impact Assessments (SIA) focusing on the implications of COSEC?s innovations, particularly in regions transitioning away from fossil fuels. Additionally, RINA will perform exploitation activities, manage Intellectual Property Rights, and analyze the cost-benefit ratios of the project results, aiming to establish viable business models to explore the opportunities to bring COSEC technologies to market.

Tech2Market Poland (T2M)

Tech2Market Poland is a strategic consulting company specializing in technological innovations. T2M is a key player in projects, providing support and expertise in marketing research, corporate strategy and technology transfer and financing. Our consultants have considerable experience in European Union projects, especially Horizon 2020 (HoliFAB, DiamLite, AMAPOLA, MINDSHIFT). Their team has extensive experience in evaluating markets, understanding the needs of potential technology users and building a business model based on the conducted analyses. They are also able to carry out activities in the field of communication about innovations and communication design (e.g. website, data server, promotional materials). T2M?s role in the COSEC project will be focused on dissemination and communications actions - including the website of the project, promotional materials like videos and leaflets, as well as the project's social media.

The University of Almería (UAL)

The University of Almería (Universidad de Almería, UAL) is a public university located in Almería, a coastal city in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. Established in 1993, it is one of Spain's younger universities, with a modern campus overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. UAL offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various fields. It is known for its research in microalgal biotechnology and agriculture, especially due to its proximity to the region's extensive greenhouse operations. In COSEC, the University of Almeria will be responsible for optimizing the fixation of carbon dioxide from both, post combustion gasses and air. To achieve this goal, the researchers participating in the project will aim at optimising current production technologies to maximise mass transfer especially in the sump, where carbon is injected into the culture. In addition, UAL will be responsible for promoting the production and accumulation of lipids in the microalgal biomass produced using different waste streams and supply other partners with the feedstock to produce different carbon negative energy carriers.

The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC)

The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) is a public university located in the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). ULPGC participates in the project through the Spanish Bank of Algae (Banco Espa?ol de Algas - BEA), a research infrastructure managed by the Canarian Science and Technology Park Foundation (FPCT). BEA is the official Spanish Culture Collection where algae strains from tropical and subtropical regions, particularly from the Macaronesian region, are maintained. This collection of strains (>2000 clonal strains) offers great potential for the development of industrial applications, allowing companies, scientific groups, and institutions worldwide to access unique genetic resources, scarcely explored, for their evaluation in biotechnological processes and environmental services. BEA´s basic activities include bioprospection, isolation, characterization, conservation, supply, and development of cultivation techniques and applications of algae from a scientific-technological point of view. In COSEC, ULPGC-BEA will screen cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae strains under controlled laboratory conditions. This screening focuses on identifying novel strains, with natural ability to accumulate high lipids with robustness to aqueous waste streams in combination with flue gases. Selected novel strains will be optimised under lab conditions for improving the biomass and lipid productivities before testing under outdoor conditions. This collaborative effort will serve to broaden the pool of potential strains with adaptability to the challenging conditions of both flue gas and digestates.

The Institute of Sustainable Processes of the University of Valladolid (UVa)

The Institute of Sustainable Processes of the University of Valladolid (Spain) was founded in 2018. Since then, it has become a benchmark for innovation for the environment and sustainable development. The mission of the Institute of Sustainable Processes is to research and develop technologies and tools to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities and extract value from untapped sustainable resources.

In COSEC, the Institute of Sustainable Process will initially optimize biogas production from the algal biomass produced during biogenic CO2 fixation via optimization of process temperature and biomass pretreatment in batch and continuous bioreactors. Biogas conversion into biomethane via novel H2-assisted gas-phase bioreactors will be also optimized. High performance gas-phase bioreactors will be engineered and optimize to maximize the conversion of the carbon dioxide present in biogas into methane using renewable hydrogen.

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