Solar Power Technologies for Sustainable Biofuel Production

The SUNFUSION project, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, launched in January 2025 with an ambitious vision: advancing biofuel production from purified microalgae and oleaginous yeasts by utilising state-of-the-art solar technologies. Coordinated by CERTH, this four-year initiative unites 10 partners from 6 countries: Ethniko Kentro Erewnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis (CERTH), Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis (AUTH), Nantes Universite (NANTES), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt EV (DLR), Middle East Technical University (METU), Top Industrie (TOPIND), Sintef AS (SINTEF), Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri Anonim Sirketi (TUPRAS), and Udruženje za Preduzetnistvo i Inovacije Foodscale Hub (FSH).

SUNFUSION: Biofuels as a Cost-effective Alternative to Fossil Fuels

SUNFUSION is dedicated to accelerating the EU’s renewable energy transition, which aims to increase the 2030 renewable energy target to 45%. One of the key challenges remains the integration of renewable energy into the transportation sector, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s total energy consumption in 2022. Biofuels, derived from biomass, offer a promising solution. These fuels can replace fossil fuels while using existing infrastructure for transportation and storage, reducing the need for costly investments in new engines and tanks. Microalgae and oleaginous yeasts offer promising cost-effective and viable alternative as efficient lipid producers, requiring minimal resources compared to traditional oil plants. By integrating solar energy into multiple production processes, focusing on energy efficiency and zero waste principles, SUNFUSION aims to drive the green transition forward while reducing dependency on conventional energy sources.

Project coordinator from Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), Nikolaos Tsongidis, highlights key points of SUNFUSION innovation:

SUNFUSION is pioneering a sustainable pathway for the production of advanced aviation and marine biofuels by leveraging microalgae and oleaginous yeasts, integrated with concentrated solar technologies. Our project combines a series of cutting-edge technologies —from innovative cultivation systems to solar-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction, thermal energy storage and upgrading— pushing the boundaries of biofuel production while minimizing emissions and waste.

By demonstrating the process at TRL 4 and targeting a solar-to-biocrude oil efficiency target exceeding 50%, our aim is to set new benchmarks in renewable energy technologies. As the Coordinator of the project, I am proud to collaborate with a distinguished Consortium of experts across Europe, working together to drive the future of sustainable aviation and shipping fuels by actively promoting the European green transition plan.

SUNFUSION – 4 Pillars of Innovation

The SUNFUSION project is built upon four core pillars which are based on biological and thermochemical processes resulting in sustainable fuel products and byproducts:

Advanced photobioreactors and open raceway ponds, providing optimised cultivation for high-lipid, low-nitrogen microalgae and yeasts with reduced production cost;
A continuously operating Hydrothermal Liquefaction reactor, powered by concentrated solar thermal energy, which will integrate continuous hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) for biomass to biocrude production with CO₂ valorisation of post-process gases;
Solar-assisted Thermal Energy Storage systems: flexible, scalable TES system powered by parabolic collectors, developed and validated with a lab-scale prototype and
Hydrotreatment units, supported by production and fractionation techniques to refine HTL biocrude into high-value fuels such as kerosene and marine fuels.

Uniting Fuel Producers, Researchers, Industry and Policymakers

SUNFUSION will pave the way for a secure, environmentally responsible energy future, significantly reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels and creating lasting positive impact.

SUNFUSION will cultivate and select five high-performing, energy-efficient strains, converting biomass into sustainable fuels and achieving high solar-to-biocrude energy conversion efficiency. With a foundation of modular design, circular economy principles, and continuous stakeholder engagement, the project aims to revolutionise biofuel production.

You can find all relevant information on the project’s website, as well as on its social media channels.