The RIRDC Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Energy Research and Development Program – Working to build a profitable and sustainable bioenergy industry for Australia

Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Energy

Objective

Background

The objective of RIRDC’s Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Energy Program is to meet Australia’s research and development needs for the development of sustainable and profitable bioenergy and bioproducts industries

Bioenergy - for heat, power and liquid fuels – is the subject

of considerable interest and activity worldwide. Drivers for

bioenergy include:

• ThereductionofCO2emissionsviathesubstitutionof

bioenergy for fossil fuels

• Securityofenergysupplies

• Regionaldevelopment,especiallythroughnewrural

industries

• Potentialhealthbenefitssuchasreducedparticulate

emissions.

Bioenergy is widely regarded as having a significant potential

role in a low-carbon energy future.

However, bioenergy is a complex topic:

• Itencompassesmultiplefeedstocksfromagriculture,

forestry, and urban sources

• Itincludesmanydifferenttechnologies:somewidely

used for decades and others only recently commercialised

• Energyproductsincludeelectricity,heatandliquidfuels.In

the future it is possible that co-products will also feature in

many bioenergy projects

• Aswithotherformsofrenewableenergy,itofteninvolves

the use of fossil fuels for its production, which reduces net

greenhouse gas benefits

• ItisthesubjectofactiveR&Dworld-wide,withanumber

of new technologies and feedstocks expected to be

commercialised over the next decade.

Bioenergy contributes approximately one quarter of the

new renewable electricity generated in Australia under the

Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) , which came

intoforcein2001andwasdesignedtoprovide2percent

ofAustralia’stotalelectricitygenerationin2010.Bioenergy

generation under MRET is primarily from landfill gas and

bagasse-fired power stations at sugar mills.

Ethanol and biodiesel are both produced commercially

inAustralia.Productionin2008wasestimatedtototal

approximately250MLperyear.Thisproductionrepresents

lessthan1%oftheestimated37billionlitresofpetroland

dieselusedinAustraliain2007/08.

The bioenergy industry in Australia has the potential to grow

significantly. This may be driven by:

• Increaseddemandforrenewableenergyforstationary

power and transport fuels, as Australia seeks to reduce its

CO2emissions

• Amarketresponsetoasustainedincreaseinoilprices

in the longer term, as demand increases and supply is

constrained

• Thedevelopmentofavarietyofnewandexisting

feedstocks that optimise sustainable use of existing

farmland and create new opportunities for marginal lands

• Avarietyofnewtechnologies,principallythoseforproduction

of liquid fuels from woody biomass that are currently being

commercialised overseas and also from algae.

1http://www.orer.gov.au/publications/mret-overview.html2http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/energy/energy_09/auEnergy09.pdf

ResearchStrategiesforRIRDC’sBioenergy,Bioproducts and Energy Program

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33

44

Investigate sustainability for Australian

bioenergy and bioproducts industries,

includinglifecycleanalyses(CO2and

energy); sustainability of soil, water and

biodiversity; and competition with food

production.

66 Investigate policy mechanisms which

steer the industry towards sustainable

development.

77 Implement an outreach program.

Assess and adapt existing Australian and

international feedstocks and develop new

feedstocks for bioenergy and bioproducts.

Scope,compareanddevelopenergyandcost

efficient technologies, infrastructure and logistics

for harvesting and processing biomass.

Evaluate conversion technologies and select,

research and develop those which are competitive

for Australian circumstances.

Develop bioproducts that complement

bioenergy production systems with a view to

biorefinery development.

Biodiesel

Indian mustard

This project is developing mustard cultivars suitable for economically viable biodiesel

production.Theprojecthasthreecomponents,1)thegeneticimprovementofmustard

forbiodieselproduction;2)establishmentofthefeasibilityofproducingbiodieselfrom

locallygrownmustardinnorthernNSWand3)evaluationofthemodelofregional

biodiesel self-sufficiency .

1StrategyOne–FeedstocksforBioenergyIn order to optimise trade-offs between biofuel and food production, RIRDC is investigating four major

options for feedstock development:

1.1. Nonfoodcropsonlessproductiveanddegradedland

1.2. Foodandfibrecropsthatgenerateby-productsthatcanbeusedforbioenergy

1.3. Bioenergycropsthathaveco-productsthatarehighinfoodvalue

1.4. Optimiseagriculturalsystems,scalesandtechniquesforproducingandprocessingbiomass

1.1Nonfoodcropsonlessproductiveanddegradedland

Indian Mustard

FEEDSTOCKS

Native oilseed trees

This research focuses on finding suitable native tree species for biodiesel production in

Australia. Objectives include:

• Identificationofpotentialnativespeciesthatcanproduceappreciableamountsofraw

materials for biodiesel production, and grow well on degraded and grazing lands of

Central Queensland.

• Testingtheseedsforoilcontent,andtheoilforitsqualityandbiodieselproduction.

• Economicanalysisofbiodieselproductionfromnativespeciesgrownondegraded

lands of central Queensland.

Ethanol(newcropssuitedtounproductive/ marginalland/lowerrainfall)

Agave

The key objective of the project is to demonstrate to the satisfaction of growers, industry,

investors and regulators, that it is feasible to farm cultivars of Agave as feedstock for

biofuel production in Australia.

Lignocellulosics

Native trees

A‘secondgeneration’biofuelsindustrycouldbebuiltonAustralianforestspecies.Such

species would be selected to grow in marginal land areas, areas with low rainfall, or

be complementary to conventional agricultural crops and systems for access to land,

resources and market share. The objectives of this project are to improve the capacity

of the forestry agencies to:

• extendtheevaluationofwoodyspecieswithbiomassproductionpotentialfrom

southern Australia to a national level; and

• conductacomparativeanalysisofbiofuelconversionpropertiesforwoodyspecies.

The desired outcomes of this project include:

• developprinciplesforfuturetrialmethodologyandselectingspeciesandtrialsitesfor

biomass production buffered against climate change; and

• providerecommendationsofspeciesfordifferentgrowingregionsandguidelines

for design of future trials to optimise bioenergy production from woody species and

develop production systems buffered against climate change.

Prospective taxa for short-rotation bioenergy in the tropics and sub-tropics

This project is assessing eucalypt mallees as potential short rotation bioenergy crops for

subtropical and tropical drylands.

Native grasses

The project is evaluating the potential for the production of cellulosic biomass from a

range of Australian native grasses. It will provide some reliable data on the total biomass

that can be produced quarterly, biannually and annually from a selected range of native

grasses.

Giant reed (Arundo donax)

This project has provided indicative data on the commercial potential of the new biomass

grass, Arundo donax (Adx) as a renewable, non food source of extremely high biomass

yieldforpulp/fibre/paper,orbiofuelsgrownonmarginalandarablesoils.Inthisproject,

the weed risk assessment of Arundo donax and preparation of a weed risk management

guidelines handbook will resolve where Adx can be grown in sustainable systems.

Native oilseed trees

Native oilseed trees

Agave

Native trees

Native grasses

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

1.2Foodandfibrecropsthatgenerate by-products that can be used for bioenergy

1.3Bioenergycropsthathave co-products that are high in food value

The sustainable production and use of plantation and farm

forestry biomass for commercial scale bioenergy production.

Determining Biomass in residues following harvest in

Pinus Radiata forests – NSW

This project is determining quantities of the different biomass

fractions in residues following Pinus radiata (radiata pine)

harvest operations. It includes a preliminary cost benefit analysis

of extracting underutilised material from softwood plantations

for which commercial values are low and markets are currently

small or nonexistent. Inventory techniques targeting the

incorporation of recoverable harvest residues will be developed.

The implications of biomass removal on soil nutrient levels.

Potential new bioenergy agroforestry systems for the

NSW central tablelands.

The project goal is to assess the potential for agroforestry

based around bioenergy production to form a new sustainable

landuseoptioninthecentraltablelandsofNSW.

In particular, it aims to answer the following research questions:

• Whattreecropsandbioenergytechnologiesmight

be viable in the case study region?

• Whatpotentialeconomicandsocialbenefitsmighta

bioenergy-based agroforestry industry provide?

• Howmightthewidespreaduptakeofagroforestryfor

bioenergy contribute to landscape scale natural

resource management goals?

• Whatincentivesandbarriersexistfortheuptake

of such land uses and what policy measures could

be employed to promote and guide them?

(withsupportfromtheCommonwealthDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestryandForestandWoodProductsAustralia)

Sweet sorghum

Sweetsorghumisahighlyproductive,shortrotationagricultural

crop with low water requirement, able to simultaneously

produce large quantities of biomass, fermentable sugars and

high nutritional content grain.

This project is assessing and establishing opportunities

to develop a sweet sorghum industry in Australia through

evaluating the viability of a sweet sorghum cropping and

production system for commercial co-production of renewable

energy and food.

Feasibility of Agave as a Feedstock

for Biofuel Production in Australia

RIRDC Publication No. 10/104

RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia

Evaluating Biodiesel Potential of Australian Native and Naturalised Plant Species

RIRDC Publication No. 10/216

RIRDC

Launch:9December2010

Bioenergy Australia 2010 ConferenceManlyNovotel,Sydney

Program&Registration:

http://www.bioenergyaustralia.org/documents/

BioenergyAustralia2010_RegistrationBrochure.pdf

NEW

Commercial Potential of Giant Reed for Pulp, Paper and Biofuel ProductionRIRDC Publication No. 10/215

RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia

2Scope,compareanddevelopenergyand cost efficient technologies, infrastructure and logistics for harvesting and processing biomassSustainable Biomass Supply Chain for the

Oil Mallee Industry

An important part of the development of the oil mallee industry

will be to ensure optimised and synchronised supply of

material from the field to the mill. This would reduce the costs

of harvesting and hauling biomass to maximise farmer and

processor returns.

• Reviewthematerialharvest,handlingandprocessing

requirements for a sustainable mallee biomass industry.

• Investigatetools,processesandmodelsusedinsimilar

biomass industries (such as sugar) which are potentially

applicable to the mallee industry.

• Developaconceptualframeworktoassessharvest/

supply issues.

• Undertakeadesktopassessmentofthelogisticsfor

mallee supply.

• Indentifycriticalelements,gapsandopportunitiesfor

further development of a sustainable mallee industry.

• Determinekeyperformancecriteriaforcomponents

within the harvest supply chain.

HARVESTING & PROCESSING

Best fit bio-fuel production technologies for agro

industrial enterprises

This project is providing a high level appraisal of the prospects

for current and potential biomass resources, supply chains and

energy conversion technologies to stimulate major growth in

Australia’s agricultural and forestry industries, significantly reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and increase the security of energy

supplies.

Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Dimethyl

Ether (BioDME)

This project is producing pure synthesis gas in a simple short-

residence-time reactor. In the proposed process gasification,

tar-cleaning and water-gas-shift reaction is being considered in

one reactor. The direct conversion of synthesis gas to BioDME

will reduce the current two-step process to a single step, yet

achieve higher yield. This process proceeds with methanol as an

intermediate product and is thermodynamically more favourable

than producing methanol alone from synthesis gas.

3 Evaluate conversion technologies and select, research and develop those which are competitive for Australian circumstances

CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES

Cellulose and hemicellulose are polymers of sugars

and are among the most abundant natural polymers

on earth. Therefore, they have the potential to supply a

considerable proportion of low cost transport fuels if cost

effective conversion processes are available.

This report describes the production of second

generation biofuels which are obtained from

lignocellulose with a particular focus on conversion

processes.

RIRDCShaping the future

Future Biofuels for Australia Issues and opportunities for conversion of

second generation lignocellulosics

Future Biofuels for Australia

Biomass Lignocellulose Pre-treatment

Enzymatic

Thermochemical Syngas

Bio-oil

C5 and C6 sugars

Gasification

Pyrolysis

Reforming

FermentationSaccharification

08-117.indd 1 30/06/2008 10:55:57 AM

4 Develop bioproducts that complement bioenergy production systems with a view to biorefinery development

BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINERIES

This report describes the current state of the biologically-based (biobased) products

industry in Australia and internationally and identifies current biobased product research and

development in Australia.

It outlines opportunities for Australian agriculture within the international biobased product

scene and identifies areas where further research is required.

BioBased products

opportunities for australian agricultural industries

An overview of the status, costs and opportunities for major technologies in biomass energy production in AustraliaThis publication appraises technologies and costs for projects involving energy

from biomass, covering transportation fuels, power and heat.

This report is currently being revamped with the following objectives:

• avisionforbioenergygrowthtoprovidealargerroleincomingdecades.

• summariesoftechnologiesandcosts.

• timelinesforcommercialisation.

• casestudiesforprospectiveAustralianfeedstocksincludingpotential,costs

and areas for further work.

• examinationofthecompletebusinesspathwayforthesefeedstocks,for

growing, harvest and transport and processing.

• crossreferencestootherrelevantAustralianandinternationalwork.

• Australiancostsandpoliciesversuscostsandpoliciesoverseas.

Biomass energy production in Australia

Status, costs and opportunities for major technologies

by C.R. Stucley, S.M. Schuck, R.E.H. Sims, P.L. Larsen, N.D. Turvey and B.E. Marino

RIRDC Publication No 04/031 RIRDC Project No EPL-1A

AFT 04-031 Biomass Production - 3 3 29/10/2008 2:24:42 PM

5 Investigate sustainability for Australian bioenergy and bioproducts industries

This report reviews the sustainability issues that have

arisen through rapid international expansion of the

biofuels industry. It also reports on the international

response to these issues in terms of both institutional

systems, and sustainability assessment systems. It

reviews institutional systems in place at the level of the

Australian Government, and for one state (Victoria) as a

case study.

The theory and application of outcomes-based criteria

and indicator assessment systems are discussed. The

potential options and implementation pathways (should

Australia choose to develop or apply these approaches)

are also put forward.

RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia

Sustainable Production of BioenergyA review of global bioenergy sustainability frameworks and assessment systems

09-167 Covers.indd 1 16/11/2009 5:28:45 PM

SUSTAINABILITY

5 Investigate sustainability for Australian bioenergy and bioproducts industries

Agricultural benefits of green manuring leaf

biomass from bioenergy crops

This project is assessing a feedstock production system

which will complement food production and enhance the

sustainability of soil, water and biodiversity.

The aim is to develop robust farming systems which

benefit from the synergies of integrating the production

of conventional broad-acre crops and new biofuel crops.

This project will do this by providing new information to

researchers and biofuel producers and users regarding

thecoppicing/suckeringabilitiesandgrowthofthe

four sub-species of the prospective biofuel crop Acacia

saligna. It will also assess the feasibility of using the

less desirable leaf fraction of woody biofuel feedstocks

as green manures. If feasible green manuring the leaf

fraction of woody biomass crops could maintain soil

fertility, reduce the cost of fertiliser inputs (both dollars

and carbon), reduce nutrient losses compared to

conventional agriculture and improve the utility of the

woody fraction of biofuel crops.

Australia and New Zealand Biochar Researchers

Network

The Australian and New Zealand Biochar Researchers

Network is a collaborative group of scientists interested

in advancing the understanding and application of

biochar materials. Collectively it aims to collaborate

on research programs, facilitate the adoption of

biochar investigation and use, and communicate the

opportunities presented by biochar to policy makers, land

managers, the public, industry and fellow scientists.

Facilitating the adoption of biomass co-firing for

power generation

This project aims to:

• determinethecoalfiredelectricitygenerationsector’s

perceptions and experience to date of biomass co-firing;

• identifysupplyanddemandsidebarriersthatarelimitingthe

uptake of biomass co-firing by coal fired electricity generators,

and conditions that would need to need to be satisfied on both

sides for such large scale adoption to occur; and

• identifystrategiesthatwouldaddressthesebarriers.

Biofuels in Australia – issues and prospects

A move to full scale biofuel production in Australia – as has happened in other

countries – offers many opportunities to Australian agriculture, but also some

risks.ThisreportbyCSIROwascommissionedbyRIRDCwiththeNational

Farmers’Federationtoprovideinformationwhichwouldenableanassessment

of the levels of risks and opportunities – now and into the future. This report

reviews and compiles available published data from a broad range of sources.

This publication is a step towards synthesising a picture of the current situation

for biofuels in Australia, and scoping some of the prospects and implications of

industry growth.

6 Investigate policy mechanisms which steer industry towards sustainable development

POLICY MECHANISMS

7 Implement an outreach programMethane to Markets

Methane to Markets is a collaborative program with the Department of Agriculture,

Fisheries&Forestry,DairyAustralia,AustralianPorkLimited,Meat&LivestockAustralia,

AustralianMeatProcessingCorporation,andtheAustralianLotFeeders’Association.

Its goal is to encourage and enable development, adaptation and use of methane capture

and use technology in the Australian intensive livestock industries.

Bioenergy Australia

Bioenergy Australia - a forum to facilitate the development and commercialisation

ofbioenergy.Ithas90membersfromcompaniesinfuelsandelectricityindustries,

renewable energy industries, growers, research institutions, NGOs and numerous

CommonwealthandStategovernmentdepartments.AprimeobjectiveofBioenergy

Australia is to form relationships between the various interests including environmental,

industry and government. Bioenergy Australia also provides for Australia’s membership of

the International Energy Agency‘s Bioenergy research program.

http://www.bioenergyaustralia.org/

BEAM RIRDC algae biofuels group

The BEAM-RIRDC Algae Biofuels Group brings together researchers, industry and

government agencies and to foster communication, networking and collaboration to

advance the development of commercially viable, renewable algae-based biofuels in

Australia. The group will also work on defining key research and development priorities

and needs, policy issues and any regulatory requirements.

ThegroupwillhaveadedicatedWebsiteandwillholdregularmeetings.http://www.

bsb.murdoch.edu.au/groups/beam/BEAM-Net.html

Dr Roslyn Prinsley

General Manager

Rural Industries Research and

Development Corporation

Level2,15NationalCircuit

BARTONACT2600

POBox4776

KINGSTONACT2604

Phone: 0262714120

Fax: 0262714199

Email: rirdc@rirdc.gov.au.

Web: www.rirdc.gov.au

OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Methane to Markets in Australian Agriculture Program was established in June 2007 by a collaboration of the Australian government and industry and forms part of the Methane to Markets Partnership of international countries. The Australian intensive livestock industry is the principal focus of the Program that covers a wide range of activities relating to the capture and use of emitted methane as an integral part of its operation.

The Program is managed by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) from the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Landcare Program. The Program is guided by a Steering Committee that includes DAFF, RIRDC, Dairy Australia, Australian Pork, Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Lot Feeders' Association.

Inquiries about the Program should be directed to: Griff Rose Research Manager email: griff@magma.com.au RIRDC PO Box 4776 Kingston ACT 2604

mlaM E AT & L I V E S TO C K A U S T R A L I A

Updates from the Methane to Markets In Agriculture Program. No. 1, October 2008

RIRDCshaping the future

ContentsThe Program Page 2 • Current projects

Recent Publications Page 3

– Baseline Studies Capture the Data • Assessment of Australian Biogas Flaring Standards • Using Methane in Livestock Intensive Industries • Assessment of Methane Capture and Use from the Intensive Livestock Industry

People in the Program Page 4 • The Steering Committee • Ralph Leutton • Roslyn Prinsley • Griff Rose

Books from the BBE Program Page 4

METHANE MARKETSin agriculture2

M2M Newsletter 1.indd 1 3/11/2008 1:52:31 PM

Methane emissions from manure management in the intensive

livestock industries are estimated to contribute three per cent

of emissions from Australian agriculture. High intensity livestock

producers are continuing to research ways of capturing and

reusing the greenhouse gases that result from these farming

practices.

The Methane to Markets in Agriculture Program aims to facilitate the uptake of methane capture and use technologies through the demonstration of systems that have been tailored to Australian conditions.

In February 2009, biogas production started at a research site

that is investigating the efficacy of installing a specially designed

floating cover over an anaerobic lagoon at a commercial piggery

near Grantham in southern Queensland. The piggery operates

as a specialised breeder unit with 700 sows; the waste from four

farrowing and dry sow sheds is discharged into an anaerobic

lagoon on site.

The aim of the project is to use the methane that is produced in the

covered anaerobic lagoon to displace energy sources derived from

fossil fuel that are currently used on the farm. The sludge that remains

after digestion builds up under the cover and will be harvested for use

as a high quality fertiliser. Another important aspect of this project is

to monitor and measure the processes of gas production and capture

to improve the overall efficiency of such systems.

“This approach is innovative,” says Project Leader, Mr Alan

Skerman from Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (part

of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and

Innovation), “because the cover floats on top of the lagoon. This

makes it feasible to remove it to provide access to the sludge,

when it needs to be removed for use as fertiliser. And it’s possible

then to put the cover back on the lagoon, which allows the farmer

more flexibility and reduced cost when desludging his lagoon.”

“Recycling the nutrients from the piggery manure in this way is

essential to the sustainability of intensive farming everywhere,”

says RIRDC’s Methane to Markets Research Manager, Mr Griff

Rose ”If we can reduce the time and effort required to do existing

processes such as desludging lagoons, it makes the systems more

attractive to the producers.”

Put a lid on it

November 2009 // p.1

Continued page 2.

Left: Taking gas samples from the lagoon. Image courtesy Alan Skerman. Below: The cover is made of high density, impermeable, polyethylene (HDPE). Image courtesy Alan Skerman.

From the Methane to Markets In Agriculture Program (M2MA)

No 2 // November 2009

an alliance of organisationsfostering biomass for energy and products

Bioenergy Australia brochure ren1 1 17/06/2009 10:10:11 AM

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