The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today announced the successful applicants for funding under the Australian Government's $15 million Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program.
The Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program supports the research, development and demonstration of new biofuel technologies which address the sustainable development of the biofuels industry in Australia.
Minister Ferguson said: "This funding will provide a timely boost to the biofuels industry and progress the development of the next generation of biofuel technologies.
"These fuels have the potential to be a cleaner burning alternative to petroleum products and reduce CO2 emissions. And importantly, they will take this important industry beyond the food versus fuel debate."
The Australian Government is pleased to be able to support these innovative second generation biofuels projects as part of its $4.5 billion Clean Energy Initiative through the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy.
Minister Ferguson said: "We must ensure that biofuel development does not compete with the traditional agricultural industry for land and resources.
"Second generation biofuel technologies provide unique opportunities to supplement existing fuel supplies in a truly sustainable manner by deriving biofuels from low cost, non-food materials."
All grants subject to successful offer negotiations.
Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program
The seven successful projects are:
The University of Melbourne ($1.24 million): This project will look at Biofuel from Micro algae involving the efficient separation, processing and utilisation of algal biomass. The project is also supported by Bio Fuels Pty Ltd and will be located at Hazelwood Power Plant, Victoria.
Algal Fuels Consortium ($2.724 million): The consortium is developing a pilot-scale second generation biorefinery for sustainable micro algal biofuels and value added products. The participants are the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University and CSIRO. The project is located at Torrens Island, South Australia.
Curtin University of Technology ($2.5 million): The project will investigate the sustainable production of high quality second generation transport biofuels from Mallee biomass by pyrolysis and utilising the biorefinery concept. The project is also supported by Spitfire Oil Pty Ltd and located in Perth, Western Australia.
Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) Limited ($1.326 million): BSES will be developing an optimised and sustainable sugarcane biomass input system for the production of second generation biofuels, located at Indooroopilly, Queensland. The project is also supported by CSIRO.
Monash University ($1.383 million): The Monash University project will aim to develop a pyrolysis biorefinery supported by the Renewable Oil Corporation and located at Monash University, Victoria.
Microbiogen Pty Ltd ($2.539 million): The project aims to produce commercial volumes of ethanol from bagasse using patented yeast strains. The project is located at Lane Cove, New South Wales.
Licella Pty Ltd ($2.288 million): Licella will examine the commercial demonstration of Lignocellulosics to stable bio-crude, located at Somersby, New South Wales.
All grants subject to successful offer negotiations.