As we are all familiar, a growing interest in using algal biomass to produce biofuels and other value added products has been catalyzed by their potentially favorable greenhouse gas and land use sustainability metrics, rapid biomass production rates, and high solar conversion efficiencies. However, preliminary economic analyses of the available algal biofuel production technologies clearly indicate that production costs are still not competitive with petroleum-derived fuels despite the significant progress that has been made to closing this gap in recent years. To achieve commercially relevant rates of return, economical feasibility models conclude there is a need to produce additional value-added products in an integrated biorefinery scheme.
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Meanwhile, ever-increasing human population with amplified demands for food and energy, gripped under the pressure of global climate change alarm the rings for a sustainable future. Depreciating agricultural practices, loss of ice caps and freshwater reserves also requires urgent solutions.
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In order to address these related problems in a Food:Energy:Water nexus theme, we will be discussing our research and approaches to utilize algae species to produce both environmentally sustainable and economically feasible market-ready bioproducts.
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Looking forward to seeing you on this exciting event generously funded by Ä°stanbul Development Agency.
With my best regards,
Berat Z. Haznedaroglu
Head of Organization Committee
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İstanbul Microalgae Biotechnologies Research and Development Center (İMBİYOTAB) kicked off with major grant funded by İstanbul Development Agency Innovative Actions Program. Coordinated by Boğaziçi University and partnered by İstanbul Medeniyet University and Yıldız Technical University, several private sector representatitives also join the platform.
Ä°MBÄ°YOTAB has a unique R&D facility currently in construction. Once completed, it will serve as a hub for the advancement of algal research both in Turkey and internationally.
You can learn more about project Ä°MBÄ°YOTAB here.
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