By Kari Williamson
“This is a clear sign that algae is being seriously evaluated to help improve the eco-footprint of massive commercial developments,” says Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil's CEO.
“This order marks another sale and revenue generation from our commercialised algae systems. And we're delighted to have a high-profile showcase for our technologies in Europe.”
The Ennesys demonstration will test the suitability of algae production in helping large commercial buildings achieve a positive energy balance and natural water management.
Under France's RT 2020 sustainable energy framework, all new buildings must produce more energy than they consume, and purify and recycle water naturally by 2020.
Partial funding is expected from regional government entities for the algae project.
“Our government is serious about minimising the environmental impact of the massive developments now being planned for the Paris regional area,” says Pierre Tauzinat, CEO of Ennesys.
“We intend to show that algae production can be safely and productively integrated into urban settings.”
Since May 2011, OriginOil's joint venture partner Ennesys has been engaged by major French developers to study the integration of wastewater algae production in two large building projects in the Greater Paris region and other French cities, with a total area exceeding 35 million ft2 (1 million m2).