Biotechnology specialist PT Algatek Karbon Nusantara introduced its latest closed-loop microalgae photobioreactor technology at the 2025 Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit held in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. 

The innovation is designed to tackle carbon emissions from diesel power plants in remote areas by capturing CO₂ and converting it into green hydrogen and oxygen.

Diesel generators remain the main electricity source in isolated regions of Indonesia due to their reliability. However, their high CO₂ emissions contribute to environmental degradation. Algatek’s photobioreactor offers a promising solution: capturing 40–60 percent of emitted carbon dioxide and converting it via photosynthesis and biophotolysis into oxygen and renewable hydrogen.

"Renewable energy from microalgae has great potential in Indonesia because its biomass can also be exported. So, in addition to carbon capture and utilization, we also have circular economy. The density, we are responsible for it. The oxygen, the gas, we are accountable for it. The density can be produced nationally and can be exported," CEO of Algatek Karbon Nusantara, Eunike Kartika Saldu, spoke to Indonesia Business Post on April 15, 2025.

Each photobioreactor unit, powered by less than 800 watts and potentially solar-compatible, can produce up to 4 kg of hydrogen per ton of microalgae annually under optimal lab conditions. The system also yields high-value biomass and biostimulants for industrial and agricultural use.

Algatek’s innovation supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including affordable clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and responsible consumption (SDG 12). The modular and IoT-enabled system features real-time monitoring of key variables, such as light intensity, CO₂ levels, and pH, making it ideal for compact or remote installations.

Microalgae strains used in the system can convert 1.83 tons of CO₂ into 1 ton of biomass while releasing approximately 1.4 tons of oxygen, according to scientific literature. Through metabolic engineering and sulfur deprivation, the reactors enhance hydrogen production efficiency despite enzyme sensitivities.

PT Algatek’s approach aligns with Indonesia’s push for carbon neutrality, circular bioeconomy development, and a just energy transition. The company expects its technology to support both climate goals and local energy independence in off-grid regions.