What if energy independence was not only possible, but already underway? In this special live episode of the podcast Fuelled by Microbes, we close the Micro4Biogas project by exploring one town's journey to becoming self-sufficient — and what it means for the future of renewable energy across Europe.

Our second panel discussion addresses microbes' role in our lives and some exciting discoveries. We talk with three experts in the field, dedicated to these tiny key players in processes like biogas production: Adriel Latorre, Director of the Genomics Department at Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence; Manel Porcar, CEO at Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence and Scientific Director of Micro4Biogas; and Pascal Otto, a Doctoral Researcher at the Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy at the Dresden University of Technology.

Do you know what biogas, probiotics, and beer have in common? And what if we told you that a certain transplant could also enhance the quality of biogas? In this episode, we'll uncover the surprising connection between these elements through bioaugmentation, as explained by our expert guests. We'll explore how improving microbial communities can lead to more efficient biogas production.

Some say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Strangely enough, it seems that the way to better biogas is exactly through the same place. Join us in the fourth episode of Fuelled by Microbes, where we talk with the experts about microbial food, discovering how tiny microscopic gourmets delight in some foods more than others, and how we can find the best materials to feed them and produce better biogas.

1st Panel discussion

On the path to a net zero future: the role of biogas in the green energy transition

Guests:

• Manuel Porcar - University of Valencia
• Jerry D Murphy - University College Cork
• Semra Bakkaloglu - Imperial College London

How is it possible that we’ve heard so much about solar or wind energy and so little about biogas? Join us in the second episode of Fuelled by Microbes, where we talk to the experts to discover what has hindered the growth of this renewable fuel, exploring the challenges we need to overcome to turn biogas into a cheap, sustainable, and reliable renewable fuel.

In the first episode of Fuelled by Microbes, we travel the world to tell you the history of biogas. From a spicy-scented lab in ancient India to the cobbled streets of Victorian London. From the picturesque village of Aras de los Olmos, in Spain, to state-of-the-art laboratories studying the microbial realm. Join us, as we explore how to change the way in which we power our lives, envisioning a greener, more sustainable future.

Energy runs the modern world. It is ubiquitous, indispensable, and taken for granted. Do we have a plan to ditch fossil fuels? Will renewables be enough? Or will our efforts fail burdening future generations? These are the questions that keep us up at night. Together with our expert guests, we look for answers to them in our upcoming episodes.