In Saskatchewan lakes, thick mats of algae thrive during the summer season, presenting a potential opportunity for biofuel production, according to Denhyn Holowatuk. Holowatuk, a recent graduate of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s agriculture and food production program, is experimenting with algae collected from lakes in southern Saskatchewan to create ethanol, a renewable fuel, through a fermentation process involving seaweed, sugar, and vinegar.
Holowatuk’s interest in algae started during his childhood when he gathered algae from lake shorelines for his family. Over time, he expanded this activity into a small summer business serving other lake-goers and property owners. As part of his capstone project at Sask. Polytech, he explored alternative methods for algae disposal, initially focusing on producing organic fertilizers through fermentation akin to beer or vodka production.
The research led Holowatuk to collaborate with Graeme Drysdale, a research chair at Sask. Polytech specializing in sustainable energy solutions. Drysdale proposed utilizing the collected algae for ethanol production, which could reduce costs significantly. Drysdale’s interest in algae biofuels was sparked during his attendance at the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair in Germany, where he discussed existing research with other experts in the field.
Efforts to extract fuel from algae have also been pursued globally. In the University of Utah, a team developed a novel jet mixer in 2019 that significantly reduces energy consumption in algae fuel extraction, bringing this renewable energy source closer to commercial viability. In Mexico, engineer Miguel Ángel Aké Madera is leading a project that converts sargassum, a type of seaweed, into biofuel on a large scale through his company, ‘Nopalimex.’
Holowatuk’s ongoing project aims to evaluate the sustainability and economic feasibility of algae biofuel production in the long term. Currently, they are stockpiling seaweed inventory to sustain research during the winter months. The primary challenge lies in the collection process capacity, but Holowatuk envisions acquiring advanced equipment to streamline operations in the future, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to find a lasting solution for utilizing algae and benefiting the environment.