The ‘Novel Biofeedstocks using Geothermal Resources’ project was officially launched in September 2024. You can read the project partners joint media release here.
This world-first project aims to develop livestock feed from geothermal gases. A biomass is created when two microorganisms — a bacterium and an algae — feed off greenhouse gas emissions captured from geothermal power stations, such as those used to generate electricity in the central North Island. This novel process generates a biomass rich in protein, which is being explored as an animal feed ingredient, use for human nutrition, or to produce high-value nutraceuticals or pigments.
Only small quantities of the biomass have been cultivated in a laboratory setting and tested. In the next step, scientists and engineers will design and build a pilot-scale facility. This will aid the transition of fermentation conditions to real geothermal gases to generate yields at pilot scale (1,000 L), optimise the growing conditions, and provide material for wider testing.
The project will also evaluate target markets and pathways to these markets, including regulatory requirements and analysis of the techno-economics. Product-market fit underpins the development of the commercial pathway.
Funding of nearly $5 million from Tauhara North No. 2 Trust and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund will support the project.
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