Israeli scientists find energy from algae could revolutionise transportation

As nations gather in Egypt for COP27, a team of Israeli scientists are making breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy that has the potential to ease the lives of billions of people while leaving no carbon footprint. 

The research done in the past 10 years by Prof. Iftach Yacoby and his team at Tel Aviv University revolves around harvesting green hydrogen, also known as renewable hydrogen, from algae, stemming from the energy process of photosynthesis.

Prof. Yacoby has no illusions that green hydrogen from algae will solve the energy problems on an industrial level, with for example steel companies using that as their main source of energy.

It does however have the potential to help increase mobility and decarbonise high-emission sectors, such as transport, particularly in developing countries.

Prof. Yacoby gives the example of a battery for electric bikes that runs on green hydrogen and not electricity will improve the amount of miles in a battery six-fold.

It can also serve as energy for farmers in remote areas: “They (farmers) can store the hydrogen harvested during the day and use it for electricity during the night.”

While green hydrogen is recognised as an energy source with huge potential it is yet to play a key factor in energy consumption worldwide.

In Europe, for example, some 96% of hydrogen consumed is produced through fossil fuels such as natural gas, emitting significant amounts of CO2 in the process.

For Prof. Yacoby, the answer to pushing for greater use of green hydrogen is simple: “Decision makers need to understand that green hydrogen should not be taxed if they really want to give it a chance. It’s currently ten times more expensive to produce green hydrogen than non-green hydrogen, such as coal or natural gas.”

“The western world understood a long time ago that in order to have food security we need to subsidise agriculture. We don’t need to subsidise green hydrogen, just don’t tax it. I think that could give a great push to the private sector to develop hydrogen production means,” he adds.

In Israel, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is issuing grants to various academic fields each year, including the research done by Prof. Yacoby and his team.

“Last year we issued grants worth NIS 24 million (nearly £6 million)” Prof. Avi J. Domb, the ministry’s Chief Scientist, tells Jewish News.

Part of the government’s role is to work closely with other countries who have similar research interests, Prof. Domb adds.

“Academics can of course collaborate with anyone in the world they want, but our ministry is promoting certain ties that are of interest to Israel,” he says, mentioning Italy and France as two key partners.