Developments in the bioenergy sphere were the motivation for a 2-day conference in Melbourne, which was attended by a wide range of delegates and speakers. Source: Timberbiz
With 21 speakers on the program the event was a smorgasbord of bioenergy projects and projections.
One of the most appreciable observations about the bioenergy arena is that while still in its infancy it can be viewed as just one area of work however, with growth it will have to split into areas of speciality.
Bioenergy at the conference was tackled as a variety of end products from biofuels to bioheating using varied forms of feedstock from paper and wood waste to recycling of waste.
As these end products develop they will need to fracture as each employs differing methods, tools, customers and feedstocks.
Currently they compete for attention each promoting itself as the ideal whether by virtue of the industry, the technology it seeks to improve or by its ease of use or its outcomes.
One thing is for certain Australia is not at forefront of this technology and for the time being is more heavily biased towards wind and solar energy to create electricity almost putting aside other uses for biomass such as heating.
Much more financial investment and forward thinking is needed by companies, investors and government to ensure that Australia is not left to play catch-up.
