They are tiny single cells, invisible to the naked eye, there are hundreds of thousands of different types of them, and together they produce – remarkably – about half of the Earth’s oxygen.

They can also consume agricultural and food waste – and produce fuel, fertiliser, feed, nutrients and pharmaceuticals. They can thrive on excess heat from energy generating sources.

How successful could they be? And how can areas like Orkney benefit? Dr Matjaž Vidmar of Edinburgh University describes the amazing abilities of microalgae and his current research into their potential.