Researchers from the French Riviera, with the support of local authorities, are participating in the development of a revolutionary biofuel made from microalgae.
As part of the future investment projects, the GREENSTARS project is one of the winners of the “Institute of Excellence in Decarbonized Energies” call for projects. This project, focused on the valuation of microalgae, examines the possibility of producing third-generation biofuels from industrial-origin CO2, organic waste, and solar energy.
A collaboration between researchers and industry to be the best in the world
This multi-site project, led by INRA, is developed in the Alpes-Maritimes by the Laboratory of Oceanography of Villefranche-sur-Mer (LOV), the INRIA Sophia Antipolis – Mediterranean center, INRA PACA, and the company ACRI, which have been studying the energy potential of microalgae for many years.
Today, industrial groups from the chemical, automotive, and agro-food sectors are joining forces with researchers to jointly develop concrete applications, in order to benefit from innovative, natural, and functional products within 10 years.
A project massively supported by the General Council and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis
For many years, the General Council has provided financial support for research on the valuation of microalgae at the LOV and INRIA laboratories. Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, and Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, have wished to continue this financial commitment to help achieve this revolutionary project which fully meets the global strategic challenges of bioenergy development. To help meet the challenge of producing innovative biofuels, a contribution of 1 million euros will be granted by the General Council and the Metropolis over 10 years. The Eco-Vallée territory, a National Interest Operation in the Plaine du Var, should host research laboratories (LOV and INRIA) and experimental cultivation tanks distributed over 4.5 hectares of land.
The excellence of Riviera researchers
GREENSTARS, which aims to be among the world’s best within 5 years for the biofuels, agro-food, and cosmetology of tomorrow based on microalgae, is a new demonstration of the excellence and performance of Riviera researchers on an international level.
