Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Laboratory
- $3.18m Funded by ARENA
- $6.93m Total project cost
Summary
The Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Laboratory project involves the development and construction of Australia’s first biocrude and biofuel laboratory at the site of the Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant in Yarwun, central Queensland.
Need
The laboratory will support the business case for the development of a commercial-scale Australian biorefinery that would produce renewable diesel and jet fuels.
There are key opportunities for biofuels in sectors such as the agriculture, timber and waste management.
ARENA has supported Australian companies like Muradel and Licella to develop innovative technologies for producing biocrude, however there is currently no way of refining this into large quantities of useable biofuels.
Learn more
Video: Bioenergy Demonstration Turns Sewage Sludge into Liquid Fuel
Moving people and goods is a particular challenge, with transport now Australia’s fastest growing source of emissions and third largest emitting sector.
Report: Southern Oil Refining Renewable Fuels Pilot Plant
This report details the findings on a viable demonstration refinery plant for the production of Renewable Diesel and Renewable crudes.
Media Release: First Step Towards an Australian Green-Fuel Biorefinery
Australia’s first ‘biorefinery’ capable of producing renewable diesel and jet fuels from plant material could become a reality in Queensland with support from ARENA.
Project innovation
The laboratory will help determine the best ways to make useable biofuel from biocrudes, which can be made from a number of organic materials including woodwaste, wastewater treatment and agricultural waste.
Southern Oil will use the lab to undertake analysis and experimentation of biocrudes to develop product specifications and inform its entrance into the commercial fuels markets.
Benefit
The world-class Southern Oil Refining laboratory will provide the missing link for turning biocrude into usable biofuel, encouraging the expansion of Australia’s renewable fuels industry.
A commercial scale biorefinery, supported by the outcomes of this project, will contribute to Australia’s general fuel security as well as play a key role in helping to deliver the Australian Government’s renewable energy and emissions reduction policies.
The laboratory will also reduce the need for Australian biocrude and biofuels innovators to use overseas testing service providers, saving time and money and retaining skills and knowledge in Australia.
The biofuel industry has the potential to create hundreds of high-value Australian jobs, as well as provide alternate revenue streams to industries which may serve the biocrude sector.
Read more
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Sewage treatment plants turn sludge into liquid fuel
A Queensland refinery is repurposing sewage biosolids to produce renewable liquid fuels.
New age for industry, powered by renewable energy
Could cheap, plentiful supplies of renewable energy give Australian manufacturers an edge?
Sewage sludge to jet fuel
The masses of sludge left over from sewerage and wastewater processing could be refined into renewable diesel and aviation fuel, under an ambitious plan announced today.
