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WA Business News - Biofuel Production Booming

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  • WA Business News - Biofuel Production Booming

    Aust biofuel production booming, but needs more support
    21-November-06 by AAP
    from WABusinessNews.com.au

    Biofuel production in Australia is booming but the fuel will require further government support to become a viable alternative to conventional fuels in the future, according to a study.

    The 200-page Biofuels in Australia - A Growing Sector report says Australia should easily reach the federal government's production target of 350 million litres of ethanol and biodiesel by 2010.

    But, the independent study says Australia faces rising costs and limited supplies of major feedstocks.

    Report co-author and EnergyQuest chief executive Graeme Bethune said biofuel production capacity is likely to exceed 640 million litres a year by the end of 2007 and could reach 2.4 billion litres by 2010.

    However, Dr Bethune said that without government support the cost of producing biofuels was higher than conventional fuels.

    "With high oil prices, there is a clear market opportunity for transport fuel alternative - biofuels, LPG, compressed natural gas, gas to liquids, coal to liquids, LNG and shale to liquids," Dr Bethune told a biofuels conference in Sydney today.

    Fellow author and Ecco Consulting chief executive Mike Cochran said the biggest challenge would be the rising cost and limited supply of major feedstocks like sorghum.

    "While oil prices are still high, the cost of some key feedstocks has also risen considerably over recent months," Mr Cochran said.

    "Furthermore, if production continues to grow over two billion litres a year, Australia will need to revert to other grains otherwise destined for exports, such as wheat, for ethanol production, and, to importing feedstocks such as additional palm oil for biodiesel."

    Mr Cochran said there was potential in the long term to reduce feedstock costs and increase availability through new technologies.

    "These include production of ethanol from biomass and biodiesel from microalgae," Mr Cochran said.

    "These feedstocks are plentiful and, unlike current feedstocks, are not part of the food supply chain."

    Biofuels are renewable fuels made from plant or animal matter that can be used to run cars and trucks.
    Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy.

    Current Vehicles in stable:
    '06 Musso Sports 4X4 Manual Crew Cab tray back.
    '04 Rexton 4X4 Automatic SUV
    '2014 Toyota Prius (on ULP) - Wife's car

    Previous Vehicles:
    '90 Mazda Capella. (2000 - 2003) My first Fatmobile. Converted to fun on veggie oil with a 2 tank setup.
    '80 Mercedes 300D. 2 tank conversion [Sold]
    '84 Mercedes 300D. 1 tank, no conversion. Replaced engine with rebuilt OM617A turbodiesel engine. Finally had good power. Engine donor for W123 coupe. (body parted out and carcass sold for scrap.)
    '85 Mercedes Benz W123 300CD Turbodiesel
    '99 Mercedes W202 C250 Turbodiesel (my darling Wife's car)[sold]
    '98 Mercedes W202 C250 Turbodiesel (my car)[sold]
    '06 Musso Sports Crew Cab well body. [Head gasket blew!]
    '04 Rexton SUV 2.9L Turbodiesel same as Musso - Our Family car.
    '06 Musso sports Crew Cab Trayback - My hack (no air cond, no heater).

    Searching the Biofuels Forum using Google
    Adding images and/or documents to your posts

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