Biofuels reports: looking to Australia’s transport future

The Energy Transformed National Research Flagship’s alternative fuels research program recently reached an important milestone with the launch of four CSIRO authored reports at the Bioenergy Australia conference in November 2007.

The biofuels publications were released by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and completed a series that began with the successful launch in June 2007 of Biofuels in Australia – an overview of issues and prospects.

Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel (diesel refined from plant oils) — have a potential role to play as Australia develops strategies to reduce emissions from the transport and agricultural sectors.

The full suite of reports examines a range of issues relevant to government and policy makers, the biofuels, agricultural and livestock industries, scientists and consumers.

They provide a thorough assessment of Australia’s current biofuels sector and offer recommendations for further research to determine the industry’s viability in our nation’s energy future.

“To secure a sustainable future we need to explore pathways that will lead us away from our dependence on oil and towards a more secure transport future with a lower greenhouse gas signature,” said CSIRO researcher and report author Dr Deborah O’Connell.

“We need to accurately assess a range of new technologies for producing biofuels and other bio-based products, including the economic and environmental impacts. It is vital that we explore options to give us a competitive advantage and provide opportunities for rural and regional sectors.

“The Energy Transformed National Research Flagship has developed a broad research program to address Australia’s biofuels knowledge gaps and move towards achieving a low emission transport sector.”

To view the below listed biofuels reports please visit the RIRDC publications web page and refer to the listings dated 21 June and 22 November 2007:

• Biofuels in Australia – an overview of issues and prospects (released June 2007)

• Biobased products – opportunities for Australian agricultural industries

• Biofuel co-products for livestock

• A framework for research and development in bioenergy, bioproducts and energy

• Biofuels in Australia – some economic and policy considerations