National Formosa University held the "Microalgae Carbon Capture System Launch Ceremony and Sustainability Week Achievement Exhibition" on 6/13 (Friday), officially launching the first campus microalgae carbon capture system in the Yunlin-Chiayi region to combine teaching, research, and demonstration functions. Tsai Meng-Yu, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, traveled south specially to witness NFU's efforts in advancing net-zero carbon emissions and sustainability education.
NFU has long been committed to developing a sustainable campus, and is the first university in Taiwan to establish its "Office of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility" as a first-level administrative unit. The campus's "Microalgae Carbon Capture System" was built with support from the Ministry of Education's "Pilot Program for Building a Smart Climate-Friendly Campus," with a total investment exceeding NT$2.4 million. The system integrates the university's biotechnology and automation engineering expertise to strengthen its sustainability capacity.
The "Microalgae Carbon Capture System" uses microalgae photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, achieving both carbon capture and water purification effects, with an estimated annual carbon capture of approximately 11 kg-CO2, while also recovering biomass resources for reuse. In addition, the system can produce 6 kg of algae powder annually, which holds significant biotechnology application value — it can be processed into immunomodulators, novel drug carriers, dietary supplements, facial masks, and cosmetic ingredients. Through technology transfer, the system is expected to connect with the pharmaceutical and health food industries in central Taiwan in the future, expanding the benefits of academic research and industrial application.
The system is equipped with automated sensing and monitoring devices, allowing real-time tracking of algae growth data to ensure stable cultivation. NFU has also applied microalgae biotechnology to the regeneration of livestock wastewater, using algae biomass as a feed ingredient, achieving a new sustainable agriculture model that integrates carbon capture, water purification, and resource recycling all in one.
Ministry of Environment Secretary-General Tsai Meng-Yu stated that NFU's launch of the microalgae carbon capture system and Sustainability Week activities align well with the nation's 2050 net-zero policy, which spans transformation across energy, industry, daily life, and society. He also noted that the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture are jointly promoting an energy transition policy that uses livestock manure and wastewater for anaerobic fermentation to generate methane for power generation, echoing NFU's practical application of livestock wastewater regeneration.
Secretary-General Tsai emphasized that the spirit of sustainability is essentially about "not using the resources of the next generation" — the current generation should achieve regeneration and circularity using the resources available today. He noted that central government ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, along with local governments, are all actively promoting transformation across four major dimensions, including 12 key strategies and 20 flagship programs, making net-zero a movement embraced by the entire nation.
NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang stated that since taking office in 2021, he has led the nation in establishing an Office of Sustainable Development at the university, dedicated to deepening the connection between the university's professional expertise and its social responsibility. He noted particular emphasis on connecting arts/humanities and leisure-oriented sustainability activities with the university's technological expertise, including its programs in engineering, electrical/information technology, and management. He noted that the economic benefits generated by microalgae reuse, as well as its application in wastewater treatment, exemplify how NFU's professional expertise, combined with environmental stewardship, can advance the benefits of sustainable development.
At the event, NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang also presented certificates of appreciation to Northland Power and Yunneng Wind Power Co., Ltd., thanking the companies for jointly promoting science education, green energy and renewable energy outreach, and sustainable development in the Yunlin community. The event also included the presentation of the "Tiger Power 100-Mile Award," recognizing 17 students who completed 100 hours of volunteer service through social practice, honoring their application of technological skills in serving the community.
The event also showcased NFU's achievements across its four major sustainability transformation initiatives — energy, industry, daily life, and society — including the "Yunlin County Energy-Saving Partnership Program," which uses smart electricity sensing and data analysis to improve energy efficiency; the "Shanghu Cloud Production-Sales Platform," which helps local small-scale farmers adopt digital technology to practice smart agriculture; the "Film Exchange for Creativity" initiative, which recycles the plastic film from disposable drink cups; and the "New Immigrant Sustainability Code" project, which combines cultural innovation to promote diversity and inclusion. NFU will continue to build on education as its foundation, using action to help lead the region and society together toward a sustainable, net-zero future.
Article provided by: Office of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility
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NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang (from left), Ministry of Environment Secretary-General Tsai Meng-Yu, and Yunlin County Government Department of Planning Director Li Ming-Yueh pose for a photo in front of the "Microalgae Carbon Capture Demonstration Tank." |
NFU launches the first campus microalgae carbon capture system in the Yunlin-Chiayi region, combining teaching, research, and demonstration functions. |
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NFU launches its microalgae carbon capture system, inviting representatives from industry, government, and academia to jointly witness its efforts in advancing net-zero carbon emissions. |
The event also showcases NFU's achievements across its four major sustainability transformation initiatives. |