The potential of algae to become a viable future feedstock for biofuels will come under the microscope at a symposium in Canberra tomorrow.

Leading Australian and international researchers in the field will speak at the symposium, organised by Bioenergy Australia ( http://www.bioeneryaustralia.org/), a government-industry alliance of 63 organisations, which is managed by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

The symposium will allow a stocktake of the current status of development of microalgae for biofuels and the further work that lies ahead to take the technology through to commercial production.

RIRDC’s General Manager of New Rural Industries and Chair of Bioenergy Australia, Dr Roslyn Prinsley, said microalgae had huge potential, especially given the current world-wide demand for biofuels and the impact this was having on food crops and commodity prices.

“It is clear that for further expansion of biofuels to take place, then alternative feedstocks that are not used for food will have to be developed.

“Microalgae are microscopic plants that can have very high oil content – up to 60 per cent in some cases – that is suitable for biodiesel production,” Dr Prinsley said.

“Microalgae are more efficient converters of solar energy into biomass than any other plant and are capable of producing over 30 times the amount of oil per year for a given area than oilseed crops such as canola.

“They are also capable of growing in saline ponds in areas that would otherwise be unproductive, potentially offering an alternative use for salt-affected land.

“Algae production can also be linked with waste-treatment processes and value-adding to co-product for industrial and commercial use.

“However these potential benefits remain just that.  Tomorrow’s symposium will allow industry and government to look at how research is progressing and what barriers remain before the potential can be turned into commercial reality.

“As the cost of existing feedstock for biodiesel continues to rise, the use of algae will come more and more into focus and further research will be the key,” Dr Prinsley said.

The symposium will be held in the Bunker Theatre at the John Gorton Building in Parkes from 9.45 am to 4 pm.

Media enquiries:
Danny O’Brien – RIRDC Communications Manager – 02 6271 4175 or 0438 130 445