Nov 11 2019
Bioenergy Australia’s annual Bioenergy STRONG conference will explore innovative approaches that Australia can adopt and expand on to convert agricultural, municipal, industrial and non-recyclable waste into valuable products such as electricity, liquid transport fuels for land, sea and air, renewable gas, renewable heat and high value products such as bio plastics and chemicals.
The annual conference is one of a kind in Australia. No other event focuses on the importance and value of bioenergy and high value waste extraction including its everyday life applications to create a stronger economy and a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Bioenergy Australia Chairman, John Hewson, said that the conference was a significant event to highlight the many opportunities and applications of bioenergy, the circular economy and energy from waste to ensure that Australia can optimise alternate solutions to energy consumption and waste production.
“This conference will highlight the technologies being rapidly deployed at a global level to solve the significant issues facing society such as waste reduction, decarbonisation, regional investment, energy security and future jobs. With all of these topics on the Federal agenda this is a timely event to highlight the global and local developments that should be accelerated,” Dr Hewson said.
“As part of the global decarbonisation imperative, the international aviation industry has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions with the ambitious targets of a 50% reduction in net emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Sustainable fuels offer the largest opportunity to reduce emissions for both the aviation and marine industries.
Biogas and decarbonisation of Australia’s gas network is one of the key topics being featured this year at Bioenergy Strong 2019. Now is the time to capitalise on the momentum and seize the opportunity to grow a biogas economy in Australia and ensure that gas is a viable, affordable and renewable option for consumers.”
The conference will explore the full spectrum of bioenergy and the significant role it needs to play in Australia for global decarbonisation, from biogas & renewable fuels to heat and electricity from biomass. The event will also include the Bioenergy Innovation Awards celebrating the trail-blazers of Australia’s bioeconomy.
With international speakers and global case studies, attendees will see how Australia stacks up against Sweden, USA and South Africa’s bioeconomy.
Speakers include:
- Inge Johansson, Researcher at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden - speaking about the only EfW facility that doubles as a ski slope, Amager Bakke Energy from Waste (EfW) & Skiing facility Copenhagen. He will also speak about Sweden’s path to decarbonisation through Bioenergy, including Stockholm Airport’s mandate that 10% of all fuel is bio-jet fuel.
- Beau Hoffman from the Bioenergy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy - discussing the USA’s bioeconomy, one which has been developed over the past 20 years.
- Claus Mortensen, Project & Site Manager, Copenhagen Agrifood Incubator Agro Business Park - detailing Denmark’s biogas boom and their path to 100% renewable gas by 2025.
- Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Australia - exploring how Timor-Leste is working towards plastic neutral by turning waste and plastic into fuel.
- Dr Patrick Gruber, Chief Executive Officer, Gevo - speaking about the role of biofuels in global decarbonisation, including Gevo’s production and supply of bio-jet fuel at a commercial scale at Brisbane airport.
- Joshua Moran, Commercial Manager at Jemena, one of Australia’s largest gas pipeline networks - discussing how Australia can drive decarbonisation across our gas network.
- Peter Robson, Hardwood Engineering Manager at Boral Timber - explaining BORAL bio-refinery: converting hardwood sawmill residues into renewable diesel and bio-bitumen.
- Simon Roycroft, Manager at Future Fuels - explaining the economic benefits of biodiesel, focusing on Just Biodiesel’s Barnawartha facility and how it has driven regional jobs.