Algoland: Biological Solutions to Clean Air and Clean Water

The Algoland project finds sustainable solutions to societal challenges. With Linnaeus University at its core, Algoland encompasses a community of knowledge from key stakeholders in the fight for our planet. Partners from industry, academia and public servants address global environmental problems at a local level:
o Use of fossil fuels
o Climate change
o CO2 emissions
o Polluted water
o Eutrophication

Location: Cementa AB, Degerhamn, Öland
Cement production releases flue gas and with it vast amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere. Microalgae can use this flue gas as a CO2 source, and the algal biomass can be used as a resource for bioenergy or high value products. In this project, we examine the potential of using microalgae to capture CO2 from flue gas from the cement plant.

Contact person: Elin Lindehoff

Flue-gas from cement production on Öland provides the rich amounts of CO2 that our microalgae need to grow. Here, the flue gas is led from the factory through a piping system and bubbles into our outdoor algae cultivation photobioreactors.

Algae in Action: The Green Wall Panel at Cementa Degerhamn Maurice Hirwa

Algae is tested in the labs for quality and content Maurice Hirwa

Location: Moskogen, Kalmar
At Moskogen, a landfill in Kalmar, Sweden, nutrient-rich leachate water runs into a reservoir. We examine the potential of micro algae to clean nitrogen from the water. Algal production is supported by the CO2 produced by the Kalmar Energi power plant, also located in Moskogen.
Phosphorus is a biproduct of the renewable energy production (wood chips) and is used in the production of algal biomass, which can ultimately be turned into valuable bioproducts.

Contact person: Elin Lindehoff 

At Moskogen, nitrogen and phosphorous-rich wastewater from KSRR's landfill combines with carbon dioxide from the Kalmar Energi power plant, giving our microalgae a rich diet for growth. When we are ready to harvest the algae, the wastewater has been cleaned. Maurice Hirwa

Team Algoland, hard at work setting up the algae pools at Moskogen Maurice Hirwa

Blue mussels naturally feed on Baltic Sea algae. In a sea where eutrophication is a huge problem, harvesting these mussels can be key to cleaning the water. Kimberly Berglöf

Team Algoland works diligently to harvest the mussels that will be ground and used as chicken fodder. Team Algoland

Location: Voxtorp Farm, Ljungbyholm

Algae, produced to recycle nutrient and carbon dioxide and blue mussels that restore our coastal waters are tested as feed for egg laying hens. We are running feeding trials at Voxtorps gård, where mussel meal and algae are tested as protein source and mussel shells as a source of calcium in the hens' feed. Safety and quality of the eggs are monitored to see if locally produced algae and blue mussels are the sustainable feed of the future.

Contact person: Elin Lindehoff

Hens at Voxtorp Farm feed on mussel meal and algae Elin Lindehoff

Feed for the future? Elin Lindehoff

Since its inauguration, ALGOLAND and the people who run it have been recognized for achievements in sustainable development within the region.

2017
AESIS Sweden Impact Award
The Sweden Impact Award brings the spotlight to projects with societal driving force. Projects are assessed based on how well they create positive synergistic effects with society. In 2017, Algoland won the SWI in the category of Medical and Life Sciences.

2016
Solrospriset 
Each year, the Kalmar Climate Commission hands out an award to a company or organisation that has taken measures to inspire and generate innovation, jobs and activities within the field of climate and energy sustainability. Algoland and project leader Catherine Legrand was the 2016 recipient. 

2015
Äspö Environmental Research Award
"Awarded to Elin Lindehoff for her work in spreading awareness about the condition of the Baltic Sea".

2013
Clean Air Committee of Kalmar
"The Algoland Project Team is awarded for excellence in researching the potential for microalgae to clean flue gas at the Cementa plant on Öland. The project also focuses on recycling nutrients from sewage leachate water, and producing bioenergy for the southern Baltic Sea Region.

Through the team's great engagement, the project has established an interest among the business sector, promising future development within the field."