Australian biomass pilot shows potential
02/11/2023
Instigated by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), the trial demonstrated how different types of biomass, such as the partially digested grain and grass found in an animal’s paunch, woodchip, nut shells and sawdust, could be blended and processed in a boiler to supply thermal energy.
Multi-fuel biomass can compare favourably with traditional forms of thermal energy such as on-site coal at $10/GJ and grid gas at $25/GJ, according to industry body Meat and Livestock Australia.
The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework highlights the high cost of energy as one of the factors that puts pressure on processors to be price competitive in global markets. Profitability across the value chain is a key pillar of the Framework, as is a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 (CN30).
Conversion of waste into bioenergy is one option for processors to reduce production, processing and consumption waste, and research is continuing into the use of renewables within the energy mix to achieve CN30.
Michael Lang, JBS sustainability engineer, said: “This trial shows that the potential to replace fossil fuels with a lower carbon emission biomass alternative using purpose-built boilers is now a genuine possibility.”
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