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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2008 - 2009
and Research in Progress as at June 2009
RIRDC Publication No. 09/097
BIOENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS & ENERGY
RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia
BIOENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS & ENERGY
RIRDC Completed Projects in 2008- 2009 and Research in Progress as at June 2009
August 2009
RIRDC Publication No 09/097
© 2009 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 896 2 ISSN 1440-6845 RIRDC R&D Projects completed in 2008-09 and Research in Progress as at June 2009 – Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Energy Publication No 09/097 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165. RIRDC Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Energy (BBE) Research Manager Roslyn Prinsley Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (02) 6271 4120 Fax: (02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (02) 6271 4100 Fax: (02) 6271 4199 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in August 2009 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313
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Foreword RIRDC produces Research in Progress summaries of continuing projects and those completed during 2008-2009. Our intention is to:
• give stakeholders early access to the results of ongoing and completed work to inform their decisions, and
• to inform researchers of results to shape research directions. The complete report on all programs is on our website at http://www.rirdc.gov.au The objectives of the Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Energy Program are: • To meet Australia’s research and development needs for the development of sustainable and
profitable bioenergy and bioproducts industries. • To develop an energy cross-sectoral R&D plan following the development of a nationally
coordinated R&D plan for Bioenergy and Biofuels, under the Primary Industries Standing Committee R&D Framework.
This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1800 research publications, which are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313.
Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
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Contents
1.1 BIOENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS & ENERGY – COMPLETED PROJECTS PROJECT No
PROJECT TITLE
RESEARCHER
PHONE
ORGANISATION
PAGE No
Develop sustainability guidelines PRJ-003196
Identifying and developing Australian native species as biofuel crops
Robert Henry (02) 6620 3010 Southern Cross University
1
1.2 BIOENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS & ENERGY – RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PROJECT No
PROJECT TITLE
RESEARCHER
PHONE
ORGANISATION
PAGE No
Develop sustainability guidelines PRJ-002696
Demonstration of market delivery of biodiesel from Indian mustard in NW NSW
Richard Trethowan
(02) 9351 8860 The University of Sydney
2
PRJ-002408
Evaluating biodiesel potential of Australian native plants
Nanjappa Ashwath
(07) 4930 9595 Central Queensland University
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PRJ-000070
Commercial potential of giant reed for pulp/paper and biofuel production
Christopher Williams
(08) 8303 9567 The Minister for Agriculture, Food & Fisheries acting through South Australian Research & Development Institute
4
PRJ-002601
Sustainability framework for biobased products in Australia
Deborah O'Connell
(02) 6242 1573 CSIRO 5
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Completed Projects - BBE – Develop Sustainability Guidelines Project Title
Identifying and developing Australian native species as biofuel crops
RIRDC Project No.:
PRJ-003196
Start Date: 13/06/2008 Finish Date: 25/02/2009 Researcher: Robert Henry Organisation: Southern Cross University Phone: 02 6620 3010 Fax: 02 6622 2080 Email: [email protected] Objectives
The overall objectives of this project are: 1. report on existing knowledge of Australian species which show potential 2. report on species suitability in relation to overall positive net energy return 3. identify potential species which will not compete with existing agricultural systems for resources 4. identify knowledge gaps thereby assisting to define future research 5. define criteria for the selection of species that produce suitable biomass.
Background
Australian native species have advantages of being readily adaptable to more marginal growing areas thereby not directly competing with production of conventional crops or livestock. Australia is a large continent with many different climatic zones and as a result the native flora is diverse. The Australian flora thereby presents an opportunity to identify species which are suitable and adaptable to production as ‘second generation’ biofuels.
Research
Research into the potential of Australian native species to serve as feedstock is important in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions and technologies with inherent low if not zero carbon footprints utilising non-food sources. The workshop was able to focus on how additional research could extend current research activities.
Outcomes
The workshop identified the following key research needs: • Analysis of the performance of candidate species in a range of Australian environments to allow species selection. Options for Northern Australia were emphasised to complement previous work of Florasearch in southern Australia. • Analysis of the biomass composition of candidate species to evaluate suitability for different conversion technologies • Life cycle analysis of native species systems as being conducted by CSIRO • Supply chain issues associated with native species production including propagation issues.
Implications
Publications
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Research in Progress - BBE – Develop Sustainability Guidelines Project Title
Demonstration of market delivery of biodiesel from Indian mustard in NW NSW
RIRDC Project No.:
PRJ-002696
Start Date: 30/05/2008 Finish Date: 30/05/2010 Researcher: Richard Trethowan Organisation: The University of Sydney Phone: (02) 9351 8860 Fax: (02) 9351 8875 Email: [email protected] Objectives
The project will have three objectives: 1) the genetic improvement of mustard for biodiesel production 2) establishment of the feasibility of producing biodiesel from locally grown mustard in northern NSW and 3) evaluation of the model of regional biodiesel self-sufficiency using the PBI research station located at Narrabri as a pilot case.
Current Progress
1. Genetic improvement of mustard for biodiesel production. Yield trials of elite lines identified in the 2008 season have been sown at multiple sites in northwestern NSW. Seed increases have been sown concurrently to facilitate seed commercialization once an elite line(s) has been identified on the basis of high stable yield and oil production. 2. Establishment of the viability of mustard for biodiesel production Conformance to Australian biodiesel standards is currently being evaluated on both oil and biodiesel produced from contrasting mustard genotypes. Regional yield trials in 2009 will provide critical information on grain yield, biodiesel yield, production costs and additional benefits accrued from planting mustards in rotation with cereals. 3. Test the model of regional sustainability using PBI as a test case. An additional biodiesel plant has been established at PBI Narrabri. One plant will continue to produce micro-biodiesel samples and the other bulk samples for running farm machinery. Simple diesel engines (such as threshing machines) have been successfully run on locally produced biodiesel. Tractors and more sophisticated machinery will be tested with biodiesel once Australian Industry Standard conformance has been established. Mustard has been sown in the PBI farm rotation to produce samples for bulk biodiesel production.
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Research in Progress - BBE – Develop Sustainability Guidelines Project Title
Evaluating biodiesel potential of Australian native plants
RIRDC Project No.:
PRJ-002408
Start Date: 20/05/2008 Finish Date: 31/12/2009 Researcher: Nanjappa Ashwath Organisation: Central Queensland University Phone: 07 4930 9595 Fax: 07 4930 9255 Email: [email protected] Objectives
(a) Identification of potential native species that can produce appreciable amounts of raw materials for biodiesel production, and grow well on degraded and grazing lands of central Queensland. (b) Testing the seeds for oil content, and the oil for its biodiesel production, with a preliminary assessment of the use of by-products as animal feed or organic amendment for crop production. (c) Economic analysis of biodiesel production from native species grown on degraded lands of central Queensland.
Current Progress
(a) More than 100 species have been selected as having a potential for establishment on degraded lands of central Queensland, and able to produce appreciable amounts of seeds. Seeds of about 90 species have been procured and this process is still continuing as we have received the approval to continue the project until the end of 2009. (b) Until now, a total of 70 species have been tested for oil content. Of these, 43 species contained less than 10% oil and they are regarded as having little biodiesel potential. There were 10 species that had 10-20% oil, whereas 17 other species had >20% oil. The species that had >20% oil include timber species such as Elaeocapus grandis, Aleurites moluccana, under-exploited species like Calophyllum inophyllum, Pongamia pinnata and queen palm, an environmental weed like Ochna sp. and some other native species for which very little information is currently available. The study has focussed more on exploring seed oil content than other aspects. Procedures of converting the oil into biodiesel have been finalised, and the cake derived from these species has been collected and stored for further assessment. Only those species having >20% oil will be tested for biodiesel properties. (c) Data on fruit or seed production, the ease at which oil can be extracted, and the complications involved in converting the oil into biodiesel are being recorded so that the economic potential of using some of the tested species can be determined before the conclusion of the project.
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Research in Progress - BBE – Develop Sustainability Guidelines Project Title
Commercial potential of giant reed for pulp/paper and biofuel production
RIRDC Project No.:
PRJ-000070
Start Date: 30/10/2007 Finish Date: 30/12/2009 Researcher: Christopher Williams Organisation: The Minister for Agriculture, Food & Fisheries acting through South Australian
Research & Development Institute Phone: (08) 8303 9567 Fax: (08) 8303 9424 Email: [email protected] Objectives
This project will provide indicative data on the commercial potential of the new biomass grass, Arundo donax (Adx) as a renewable, non food source of extremely high biomass yield for pulp/fibre/paper, or biofuels grown on marginal and arable soils. In this project, the weed risk assessment of Arundo donax and preparation of a weed risk management guidelines handbook (work with Dr John Virtue, Weeds CRC) will resolve where Adx can be grown in sustainable systems. Also data will be collected to estimate the ability of Arundo donax to treat wastewaters on marginal lands for resource recycling compared with other conventional crop feedstock sources. This project will develop a new, non food crop, Adx, options for farmers and industry with multiple potential benefits, renewable fibre or energy feedstocks, within the framework of economic systems and systems which use non food crops on marginal lands with often marginal wastewater reuse systems.
Current Progress
Evaluation of Arundo donax (Adx, giant reed) in three field trials has been successfully continued in the final year for this project. High biomass yields of 45 and 35 tonnes of dry tops per hectare per year (in 2007 and 2008, respectively) were recorded in industrial biosystems being developed for Adx grown under irrigated saline conditions on marginal land at Barmera, SA. Biomass samples have been sent to Prof. Rogers, UNSW for ethanol conversion, Best Energies for pyrolysis to biochar and to Dr Rainey, QUT, for pulp/paper tests. Dr Virtue and team (Dept. Water Land & Biodiversity Conservation) are analysing the weed risk of Adx using the SA Weed Risk Management System. Separate assessments are being undertaken for riparian (and flood prone) and non-riparian ecosystems, which is expected to show a considerable difference in weed risk. Given that we have shown Adx does not produce viable seed, routine containment of its vegetative spread in non-riparian ecosystems should be feasible. This would be achieved by appropriate geographic placement of plantations (well away from flood prone riparian areas) and through crop hygiene practices to prevent spread. Project work is on schedule and the final report will be submitted by 30 December 2009.
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Research in Progress - BBE – Develop Sustainability Guidelines Project Title
Sustainability framework for biobased products in Australia
RIRDC Project No.:
PRJ-002601
Start Date: 23/06/2008 Finish Date: 1/07/2009 Researcher: Deborah O'Connell Organisation: CSIRO Phone: (02) 6242 1573 Fax: Email: deborah.o'[email protected] Objectives
The key aim of the project is to: (i) produce a review paper on national and international development in the approaches to sustainability of biofuels, bioenergy and biobased products; (ii) identify and list relevant Australian government policies; and (iii) identify pathways to adoption of future sustainability guidelines for biofuels and bioenergy.
Current Progress
Since the last report (RIRDC Annual Progress Report 30/11/2008), the full writing team of Deborah O’Connell (CSIRO); John Raison (CSIRO); Andrew Braid (CSIRO); Annette Cowie (NSW DPI); Brendan George (NSW DPI); Kristian Handberg (Vic DSE) and Luis Rodriguez (CSIRO) have met face-to-face, and there have been regular meetings of the CSIRO group. Six of the nine chapters and three appendices of the Sustainability Framework report have been drafted. All of the relevant international literature has been identified and reviewed more than once as international activities in this area are rapidly progressing. On the 20/03/2009, a draft copy of the Sustainability Framework report was circulated to the Steering Committee - Roslyn Prinsley, Steve Schuck, Mark Glover, Bruce Harrison and Dr Elizabeth Brierley, Assistant Director, Fuel and Used Oil Policy, DEWHA who has been added to the Steering Committee. All responses have been considered and incorporated into the document.
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RIRDC Publication No. INSERT PUB NO. HERE
BIOENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS & ENERGY
Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Energy Research in Progress, June 2009, contains short summaries of continuing projects as well as those that were completed during 2008-2009. The objectives of the Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Energy Program are:
• To meet Australia’s research and development needs for the development of sustainable and profitable bioenergy and bioproducts industries
• To develop an energy cross-sectoral R&D plan following the development of a nationally coordinated R&D plan for Bioenergy and Biofuels, under the Primary Industries Standing Committee R&D Framework.
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) manages and funds priority research and translates results into practical outcomes for industry.
Our business is about developing a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector. Most of the information we produce can be downloaded for free or purchased from our website: www.rirdc.gov.au, or by phoning 1300 634 313 (local call charge applies).
RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia
Contact RIRDC:Level 2
15 National CircuitBarton ACT 2600
PO Box 4776Kingston ACT 2604
Ph: 02 6271 4100Fax: 02 6271 4199
Email: [email protected]: www.rirdc.gov.au
Most RIRDC books can be freely downloaded or purchased from www.rirdc.gov.au or by phoning 1300 634 313 (local call charge applies).
www.rirdc.gov.au
RIRDC Publication No. 09/097
