Adjacent to Iceland's largest geothermal power station, a sizable warehouse hosts a state-of-the-art indoor farm unlike anything I've encountered before.
Beneath an unusual pink-purple radiance, brightly lit panels hum, and columnar water structures bubble, nurturing a futuristic crop of microalgae.
It is in this setting that Vaxa Technologies of Iceland has developed a pioneering system that utilizes resources from the nearby power plant to foster these microscopic aquatic organisms.
"This marks a novel approach to food production," comments general manager Kristinn Haflidason during my guided tour of the futuristic facility.
Throughout history, mankind has relied on consuming seaweed, also known as macroalgae. However, its diminutive counterpart, microalgae, has been a less common food source, despite its consumption in ancient Central America and Africa.
Today, scientists and entrepreneurs are increasingly recognizing its potential as a nutrient-rich, sustainable food source.
Located approximately 35 minutes from Reykjavik, Vaxa's facility cultivates the microalgae Nannochloropsis for human consumption and as feed for fish and shrimp farming operations.
Furthermore, the site produces Arthospira, commonly known as blue-green algae or spirulina when dried, for use as a dietary supplement, food additive, and natural blue food coloring.
"These tiny organisms conduct photosynthesis, utilizing light energy to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen," explains Mr. Haflidason. "Essentially, the algae convert CO2 into biomass, making the process carbon negative."
The Vaxa plant boasts a distinctive setup. It is the sole site globally where algae cultivation is combined with a geothermal power station, providing clean electricity, cold water for cultivation, hot water for heating, and even capturing CO2 emissions.
"We have achieved a slightly negative carbon footprint," notes Asger Munch Smidt-Jensen, a food technology consultant at the Danish Technology Institute, highlighting their eco-friendly approach.
Emphasizing the high energy requirements and light simulation needed for running photo-bioreactors, Mr. Munch Smidt-Jensen suggests utilizing regions with low-impact energy sources like Iceland for energy-intensive product development.
At the facility, I ascend to an elevated platform surrounded by modular photo-bioreactors illuminated by thousands of red and blue LED lights that promote the microalgae's growth.
With meticulous control and optimization using machine learning, the facility can harvest around 7% of the crop daily, promptly replenished with new growth.
Vaxa's current production capacity reaches up to 150 metric tonnes of algae per year, with plans for expansion. Rich in protein, carbohydrates, omega-3s, fatty acids, and vitamin B12, Mr. Haflidason sees microalgae cultivation as a potential solution to global food insecurity.
Numerous companies are investing in microalgae, projecting a market worth $25.4 billion by 2033. Danish start-up Algiecel is exploring modular, shipping container-sized units equipped with photo-bioreactors to capture CO2 emissions while producing food and feed.
Microalgae is versatile, finding applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and even as a plastic alternative.
Looking ahead, potential uses in space farming are also being considered.
However, despite the significant investments, further development is needed before microalgae becomes a staple in our diets.