Australia is still behind the rest of the world when it comes to bioenergy projects and we should be doing more to expand our use of the new technology according to Ecotech Alliance. Source: Timberbiz
According to Australian based Ecotech Alliance, the European Union, the UK, the United States of America, Korea, Japan, and other countries, have come to realise that the use of bioenergy is good for their economies.
Those countries have also come to understand how it can increase their fuel security and that it should be part of a sustainable energy mix while other countries are lagging behind.
Ecotech Alliance points out that Australia still falls behind the rest of the world on both large and small-scale bioenergy projects. The Alliance work centres on advocating a more rapid expansion of bioenergy projects across Australia.
“Bioenergy has the potential for both domestic consumption purposes and the export market. Initially our project activities are focused on the export market, which in turn will help develop local industries and offers regional benefits in the creation of jobs,” said Dr Saliba Sassine of Ecotech Alliance.
“Bioenergy also offers new business opportunities, diversification of incomes and risk management for farmers and forestry owners.
“It can also help manage landscape renewal through actively managing plantation forestry and agricultural waste.”
Ecotech Alliance Executive Director, Robert Brodie said that the Ecotech Alliance intends to accelerate bioenergy projects in Australia and increase commitment abroad to help reduce energy costs, waste and carbon emissions across sectors including forestry, agriculture, utilities and local governments.
“Bioenergy products provide a market for otherwise under utilized materials, such as unmerchantable timber and wood processing waste,” he said.
“Waste from sustainable plantation forestry and agricultural waste residues can also contribute to reducing bushfire risks.
“We also believe in the strong potential to utilise these wastes in the development of complete commercial scale packages for both thermal and electrical energy.”
Further to supporting the growth of ongoing biomass and bioenergy projects like those mentioned, Ecotech Alliance is working towards enhanced support for research and development in bioenergy technologies.
The Alliance also wants to improve parity for renewable fuels versus standard fossil fuels. It is their belief that this is critical for Australia to catch up to other world leaders in this sector.
