Siemens Automates Microalgae Farming at Iceland’s VAXA

Rows of photobioreactors line the production hall, giving the facility an atmosphere that feels straight out of science fiction. A thick bubbly liquid flows continuously through a network of transparent tubing bathed in purple light. Welcome to VAXA Technology’s cutting-edge indoor farming facility. That liquid contains Icelandic Ultra Spirulina — a microalgae rich in protein, iron, and fatty acids, offering a highly sustainable source of nutrition for both people and aquaculture.

And the lighting isn’t just for show: red and blue are the main wavelengths algae need for photosynthesis. “Instead of using electricity to create wavelengths the algae do not need, we focus only on the light wavelengths they do need,” says Kristinn Haflidason, General Manager at VAXA Technologies Iceland.

VAXA Technologies has developed and patented an energy-to-food platform to cultivate this promising superfood year-round, using only three key inputs: energy, water, and carbon dioxide. When it came to selecting a site for its flagship facility, VAXA chose a location where all three are abundantly available.

https://algaeplanet.com/siemens-automates-microalgae-farming-at-icelands-vaxa