Australia is positioning itself to take advantage of growing international interest in advanced biofuels with the official launch today of two new facilities at Curtin University in Western Australia.
The Fuels and Energy Technology Institute and, within the Institute, the Biofuels Research and Development Facility are developing, and seeking to commercialise, cutting-edge advanced biofuel technologies and processes.
Opening the new facilities in Perth today, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, outlined the potential economic and environmental benefits advanced biofuels can offer.
“Advanced biofuels have a wide range of applications, in everything from aviation and shipping to electricity generation,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The new generation of biofuels surpass their predecessors entirely, allowing the cost-competitive production of both electricity and crude oil from a variety of feedstocks, including renewables, which can then be refined into a variety of fuels such as gasoline and jet fuel.
“Given the growing global demand for oil and the volatility of world oil prices, the economics of advanced biofuels are really starting to stack up.
“The Australian Government is proud to support this important research and development program. Our $2.5 million funding commitment from the Second Generation (Gen 2) Biofuels Program has contributed to the outstanding work being undertaken here at Curtin University.
“The Curtin University team of biofuels researchers has developed new pyrolysis technology that uses simplified equipment, does not produce a residual product that requires disposal, demands less energy and can accept nearly all biomass as the feedstock.
“These breakthroughs mean that pyrolysis technology overcomes some of the barriers to the commercialisation of biofuels technology.
“They have now patented this technology, opening up serious potential for revenue from its licensing and deployment, again with the support of the Australian Government through commercialisation Australia.
“There is intense international interest in the development and production of advanced biofuels, most notably from the United States’ Navy, which is seeking to source 50 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.
“Given the sheer size and geographic disbursement of the US Navy, this policy has the potential to be a significant game changer for the biofuels industry globally.
“Australia is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities on offer and facilities like these at Curtin University will help us do that.
“The Australian Government will continue to support biofuels through the new Australian Renewable Energy Agency due to be established on 1 July 2012.