A new concept in energy has good potential for use in Western Australia, MPs were told today.

The CSIRO hybrid energy concept - to integrate natural gas and solar thermal energy for advanced power generation systems - was presented at a CSIRO Science Briefing in Parliament House, Perth.

Mr Jim Edwards, CSIRO Energy Technology, told the Briefing that the hybrid energy system uses concentrated solar thermal energy to reform natural gas (methane) and steam into a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. In doing so, the energy content of the natural gas is increased by 20% with embodied solar energy.

"Variants on the process can produce fuel gases in which the energy content of the natural gas is boosted by up to 40% with solar energy," he says.

"The gas is then treated to recover carbon dioxide in a concentrated form prior to using the steam for power generation. The process enables very high efficiency power generation with greatly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. "

"WA has abundant solar energy resources and technologies such the hybrid system which combines solar and gas should have particular appeal for WA in both distributed and central applications.

"These applications include distributed electricity generation in grid-disconnected regions (as exist in much of WA) using efficient technologies such as fuel cells and microscale gas turbines; solar-boosted fuel gases for existing or new power stations and process for heat industry; and production of synthesis gas feed stocks for manufacture of petrochemicals.

CSIRO is currently demonstrating proof-of-concept for its hybrid system in a facility at its Lucas Heights site in Sydney.

Mr Edwards told the briefing that CSIRO sees many potential opportunities for its solar-gas hybrid technology in WA, both for the total concept and for its respective components. He says the Organisation is keen to explore these opportunities with parties interested in applying the technology in WA.

Further information:

Mr Jim Edwards, CSIRO Energy Technology 02 9490 8610

Ms Chris Thompson, CSIRO Energy Technology 02 9710 6816

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