WP1: Thermophilic acetogenetic fermentation and biogas production
Objectives: This WP aims (i) in optimizing the process of the thermophilic acetogenetic fermentation (TAF) in order to obtain the highest rate of conversion of the organic matter of given agro-industrial wastes into acetate with the simultaneously mineralization of the essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus etc.) for microalgal growth, (ii) to develop and optimize the TAF process regarding the inactivation of indicator pathogens that might be presented, especially when manures are used as feedstock (iii) investigation of the biogas potential from the solid fraction of the fermentation broth and defining the mass and energy flow in order the produced energy from the combustion of the biogas to cover the energy requirements of the thermophilic fermentation.

WP2. Μicroalgal cultivation using the acetate-rich liquid fraction
Objectives: This WP aims (i) in using the liquid fraction of the TAF broth as nutrient source for the production of the selected microalgal species, either in mixotrophic (in presence of light energy) or heterotrophic (in absence of light energy) mode. Both cultivation mode displays higher biomass concentration in the cultivation medium, and therefore they are selected in order to reduce the land area required for the production of given amount of biomass. (ii) to optimize the cultivation process in order to obtain the maximum possible biomass concentration in the culture broth and to obtain the maximum possible conversion of acetate into microalgal biomass and valuable metabolites. (iii) to undertake activities in order to prevent any grow of heterotrophic bacteria or fungi that will outcompete microalgal for acetate utilization.

WP3. Production of microalgae in pilot scale
Objectives: this task aims in demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed concept in a small-scale pilot unit installed in the premises of the VK. The pilot unit will be used in order to collect the necessary amount of biomass for the feed trials (WP4) and to gather data of long-term operation in order to proceed with the techno-economical evaluation of the process (WP5). Pilot unit will be designed and constructed based on the results obtained in WP1 and WP2.

WP4 Feed trials
Objectives: (i) to optimize the proportion of microalgal addition in the ration for animal growth, (ii) to investigate the effect of the addition of microalgal biomass on animal growth, health and products quality, (iii) to ensure that microalgal biomass produced through the proposed process is safe and can be used as feed supplement, and (iv) to identify any major issues that could restrict the use of the produced microalgal biomass to feed the animals.

WP5 Techno-economic evaluation and business plan development
Objectives: In this WP a techno-economic assessment of the whole process, i.e. for the production of protein-rich feed will be conducted. Techno-economic assessment will be based on the data that will be collected in previous WPs and will be related to the production costs of protein-rich biomass in various selected scenarios. An additional aim will be to investigate whether poultry farmers would have the intension of adopting the technology and to invest in it. Finally, legislation related issues will be investigated in order to look at if any limitations or restrictions are set by legislation.