The transition from fossil fuels to renewables is a significant challenge for science, engineering, educators, and policymakers in this century. One approach to achieving this transformation is through biorefineries, where sustainably produced biomass is converted into food, chemicals, and fuels. However, land availability is a critical issue in the future development of plants-based biorefineries. Offshore production and processing of biomass can fill this gap and provide a new, largely untapped source for future development. Despite the benefits, offshore production and processing of biomass face many challenges.
To address these challenges, the first Marine Offshore Biorefineries (MOBI) workshop was organized jointly by the Porter School of Environmental Studies and the Embassy of Germany in Israel on 24 May 2017. The Workshop was also hosted by the Israel Ministry of Energy. This event aimed to explore the potential of offshore biorefinery technologies and their implications for sustainable energy production in the Middle East region.
The workshop will focus on the diverse aspects necessary for implementing marine biorefineries in real-world settings. The agenda will cover various topics, including operational oceanography and environmental conditions in the eastern Mediterranean, offshore biomass production (upstream), biomass processing to biofuels, chemicals, and food (downstream), environmental implications, economics, policy, and more. The event will be led by Alexander Golberg from the Porter School of Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University, Yoav Lehahn from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Weizmann Institute of Science, and Alvaro Israel from the National Institute of Oceanography. Avigdor Abelson from the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University will also be participating in the workshop.
The junior organizing committee will consist of Arthur Robin, Meiron Zollmann, Noam Rosiansky, and Andrey Rubin from the Porter School of Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University. In addition to these key speakers, there will be a session focusing on energy from offshore kelp farms: technologies and production of laminarian species, led by Professor Dr. Bela Hieronymus Buck.
This comprehensive program will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing marine biorefineries in practice. By covering a range of subjects, attendees can gain a deeper understanding of the technical, environmental, economic, and policy considerations involved in this emerging field.
The following is an English summary of a research article by Michael David Krom, published in the Journal of Marine Chemistry and Technology. The article discusses nutrient status and cycling in the Eastern Mediterranean, which can help to improve understanding of the region's marine ecosystems.
Krom, who is affiliated with the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), explains that nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are important for the growth and development of phytoplankton, the primary producers of the ocean food chain. However, they can also be limiting factors if levels become too high or if they enter the food chain at inappropriate times.
In his study, Krom used water samples from the Eastern Mediterranean to investigate nutrient status and cycling in seawater, as well as in phytoplankton communities. He found that nitrogen and phosphorus levels were generally low in seawater, but that they could vary depending on location within the region.
Krom then compared the nutrient status of different phytoplankton communities to determine which species were most dependent on particular nutrients. He found that certain species required higher levels of nitrogen than others, while some were more sensitive to phosphorus.
Overall, Krom's research highlights the importance of understanding nutrient cycling in the Eastern Mediterranean in order to improve management of this important marine ecosystem.
. Dr. Gabriel Jinjikhashvily, from the Israel Electric Company, discussed offshore environmental conditions in Israel and various aspects of floating structures.
2. Nitai Drimer, from Technion, presented a model for techno-economical analysis of algae biofuels.
3. Bracha Halaf, from the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy, and Water Resources, talked about marine biorefineries in Israel as a method to support both the bioeconomy and blue growth. He also proposed the establishment of a Marine Biorefineries Research Center.
4. Alexander Golberg, from Tel Aviv University, described his research on designing a consolidated microbial process for the production of bioethanol from Ulva biomass.
5. Ehud Banin, from Bar Ilan University, highlighted macroalgae as a potential new and renewable source for macronutrients.
6. Yoav Livney, from Technion, introduced his work on a quantitative management tool that reflects the impact of nutrient enrichment from mariculture in the Levantine basin.
7. Hezi Gildor, from The Hebrew University, shared his research on biomass processing with solar energy.
8. Abraham Kribus and Michael Epstein, both from Tel Aviv University, were presenters at the conference and discussed their respective works related to the use of solar energy in biomass processing.
The Win-Wins of Wind Energy: German and European Initiatives in Algae and Marine Biodiversity Cultivation Linked to Offshore Wind Infrastructure
Prof. Miranda Schreurs
Technical University of Munich
10 / 12
10:00-12:00
Presentation on offshore marine aquaculture planning efforts in Israel, by Eng. Noam Mozes, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Zohar Yakhini from IDC Herzliya and Dr. Miranda Schreurs from Technical University of Munich.
