RWE seeks alliance to create biomass from CO2

RWE Power is set to expand a multi-million Euro project designed to turn carbon dioxide into biomass, marking a major step forward for its "clean coal" programme.

Together with biotechnology company BRAIN, RWE this week announced it had reached a major milestone in a project that aims to find micro-organisms that can eat up CO2 and create bio-materials.

After examining more than 3,000 micro-organisms during the last two years, researchers from BRAIN have now identified 29 which could grow in flue gases from coal plants by directly "feeding" on CO2.

Research is taking place at RWE's Niederaussem power plant, which is the centre of its clean coal initiative and houses Germany's first CO2 scrubbing plant.

Plans to create a new generation of coal-fired power plants fitted with carbon capture and storage technology have been criticised by green groups concerned about the dangers of storing CO2 underground.

However, RWE's project could address those concerns by transforming captured carbon into useful materials. The company said is already investigating uses for the resulting bio-materials, with early indications suggesting they could be used in construction and insulation.

Dr Johannes Heithoff, head of research and development at RWE, confirmed that it is expanding the €2m project to include other carbon-rich waste streams such as sewage water and by-products from refineries or food processing plants.

It is also seeking to establish an alliance of 21 industrial companies and universities to support its clean coal projects.

"Our pioneering work in the search for biotechnological CO2 conversion solutions bears first fruit - we continue to lead the efforts to protect the climate," said Heithoff.

"We are thoroughly convinced by the results delivered by BRAIN's research team in co-operation with our power station experts. As a consequence, we will expand the research programme."