Woody Biomass Supply Assessment (FP15)

This project is enlisting potential commercial biomass processing industry developers as clients to work with them on a one-on-one basis as part of it s ongoing feasibility investigations into commercial biomass supply development.

The project’s overall aim is to ensure advances in the science and economics of woody biomass production systems (from planting to factory door) generated in P3 research flow into the economic assessment of the cost of biomass supply. The project anticipates that the working relationships developed by these investigations will identify impediments to successful supply-side commercial development and position the CRC to broker further R&D investment.

Objectives:

• Engage major aspiring woody biomass processors in one-on-one collaboration with P3: New Woody Crop Industries
• Deliver project specific biomass supply feasibility assessments to major aspiring processors and inform across-industry coordination of biomass supply development and progressively build a generic assessment capability suitable for any woody biomass industry nationwide
• Evaluate options and stimulate development of service industry participants for new biomass supply industries.

Analysis of project level biomass supply is being undertaken for two clients contemplating large scale biomass processing on a commercial-in-confidence basis. The analysis consisted of extensive review of mallee biomass production systems based on the West Australian experience and detailed bio-economic modelling of the competitive position of biomass as an option for the farmer at paddock scale, and for the buyer/processor at the project scale.

This work is enhancing the project’s capability to allocate priority to R&D and generated confidence that with the forthcoming legislation for Renewable Energy Targets and Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme mallee biomass production industries are commercially viable.

For more information, email project leader, Amir Abadi.