Microalgae cultivation at low latitudes

Growing global demand for food, water, energy, and materials is increasing pressure on natural resources and contributing to climate change and pollution. Microalgae are a promising renewable biomass source for a wide range of food and non-food products, including feed, cosmetics, chemicals, fertilizers, and biofuels. Their cultivation can utilize seawater, non-arable land or offshore areas, and reclaimed nutrients and CO₂ from waste streams. However, high production costs remain a major barrier to large-scale applications.

This research investigates a novel microalgae cultivation system for low-latitude locations, where abundant sunlight and a stable climate enable year-round biomass production. Key challenges include excessive midday light and culture overheating. The research focuses on improving biomass yield on light and areal productivity while eliminating the need for active temperature control. A novel photobioreactor design is proposed that enables efficient light capture and dilution, combined with passive temperature control. These innovations aim to improve cultivation efficiency and reduce microalgae production costs.