The objective of the project is to achieve costs of around 25 euros per square metre of soil area for the cultivation of algae. The partners from science and industry will be working on research topics such as photobioreactors, gas separation using membrane methods, biological sensor technologies for cellular oxygen, the biotechnological optimisation of algae as well as system integration. In addition, they will carry out practical field tests and test the application of the hydrogen production method in the aerospace industry, as well as doing environmental and cost analyses. Besides the KIT (northern and southern campus), the project also involves the University of Bielefeld, the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, the University of Potsdam, Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS GmbH (EMB) based in Wendelsheim, IGV GmbH in Nuthetal as well as OHB-System AG based in Bremen.

The KIT's microalgae research group will be responsible for developing an optically structured photobioreactor for the production of hydrogen. Initially, it is planned to enlarge the inner surfaces of the reactor in the hope that, combined with very thin cell layers, this will lead to high efficiency and enhanced cell concentrations. In addition, the algae will be exposed to carbon dioxide through membranes in order to reduce the use of auxiliary energy. This step also involves the KIT's Engler Bunte Institute. The reactor will be developed in two stages. The initial stage will focus on achieving high biomass production, which is also required for the production of other algal substances. The second step will focus on optimising the hydrogen production system.