Latin America and the Caribbean are exploring new technologies to diversify the solutions that will drive the region’s energy transition. As renewable energy deployment accelerates, a new field of research is gaining momentum in laboratories across the region: microalgae—organisms capable not only of generating energy, but also of capturing carbon dioxide and treating wastewater within a single integrated system.
This was the central theme of the opening session of the “Applications of Microalgae in Bioelectrochemical Systems” course, organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), in collaboration with the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH) and its Alternative Energy and Environment Research Group. The program brings together researchers, academics, and energy professionals to examine applications that could simultaneously contribute to decarbonization, energy security, and the circular economy.
During the opening session, Andrés Rebolledo, Executive Secretary of OLACDE, emphasized that the energy transition must go beyond the deployment of new energy sources and incorporate solutions capable of addressing today’s environmental and productive challenges. The course forms part of OLACDE’s broader strategy to strengthen technical capacities across its 27 Member States while bridging cutting-edge research with practical industrial and environmental applications.
The first day focused on the growing international interest in microalgae. These microorganisms can function as photosynthetic biocathodes, producing the oxygen required for bioelectrochemical systems without the need for mechanical aeration, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption. They are also capable of removing nutrients, organic matter, and heavy metals from wastewater while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide and generating biomass that can be converted into biofuels, biofertilizers, and other high-value products.
According to Celso Recalde, Director of the Alternative Energy and Environment Research Group at the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH), the challenge is no longer purely scientific but institutional. He noted that research conducted in Ecuador is already fostering collaboration with European universities and highlighted that the region’s rich biodiversity of microorganisms is enabling the development of innovative solutions for energy production, wastewater treatment, and desalination—an area that is attracting growing international attention beyond Latin America and the Caribbean.
The training is delivered under the ETRELA Project, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Government of Germany. It combines scientific foundations with practical case studies on bioelectricity generation, carbon capture, and integrated biomass utilization. Its objective is to strengthen technical expertise and accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies throughout the region’s energy transition.
The growing interest in this innovative field reflects a broader trend: the energy transition is no longer measured solely by the expansion of renewable energy capacity. Increasingly, it is also assessed by the ability to develop technologies that effectively integrate energy production with climate mitigation and the efficient use of natural resources. In this context, microalgae are emerging as a promising solution capable of addressing multiple challenges simultaneously.
