The latest developments in Bioenergy – a hot topic for investors, government and primary producers – will be under discussion next week in Fremantle, WA, at Australia’s premier bioenergy conference.

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) invests in research and development in bioenergy as part of its commitment to facilitating more profitable, sustainable and dynamic rural industries.

Bioenergy – using plant-based energy sources as an alternative to fossil fuels – is a form of solar energy with zero net emission of greenhouse gases.  Photosynthesis and atmospheric carbon dioxide combine to form biomass, which can be converted into many forms of energy and energy related products such as liquid biofuels and bioelectricity.

The conference program has over 55 presentations covering policies and programs, projects and project development case studies and emerging opportunities.  This year the conference has a specific focus on liquid biofuels.

The conference will consider many facets of bioenergy including: biomass supply logistics, liquid biofuels, pyrolysis bio-oil, biorefining, anaerobic digestion, energy-from-waste, and heat and power. Other topics are overarching aspects of bioenergy, such as life-cycle emissions, and the tradeoffs between land use for biomass, food and fodder.

The keynote address will be provided by Professor Jack Saddler, leader of the International Energy Agency’s Bioenergy Task on commercialising liquid biofuels.

The conference will be opened by The Hon. Kim Chance, WA Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Tours looking at bioenergy facilities will be held before and after the conference. The first tour covers dry land salinity and its mitigation through biomass, and includes a visit to the Narrogin integrated wood processing plant. The post-conference tour will include anaerobic digesters, microalgae as a biodiesel feedstock, a large biodiesel plant and charcoal manufacture for silicon smelting.

Bioenergy Australia 2006 – A Growth Opportunity for Energy and the Environment will be held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia on 6-7 December, with technical tours on 5 December and 8 December.

The program and registration form is available online at http://www.bioenergyaustralia.org.  For more information contact Emma Waygood (tel 02 9437 9333 or email emma@conferenceaction.com.au).

The low cost, information-packed annual conference is held by Bioenergy Australia, a non-profit government-industry alliance of some 48 members. RIRDC is an active participant in Bioenergy Australia.

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Media enquiries: Steve Schuck – Bioenergy Australia Manager:  Tel: 02 9416 9246 / Mobile:  0412 981 179