Sun-drenched and arid Western Australia is set to become a future biofuels hub, according to Michael Borowitzka, professor of marine phycology at Murdoch University. Borowitzka told ATW’s Eco-Aviation Today that Western Australia “has abundant sunshine, a key requirement for high productivity; large areas of marginal land, and, for algae production, abundant sources of saline water such as saline groundwater and seawater.”
He added, “Already two algae biofuel pilot plants have been established in the Pilbara (the sunniest part of Australia). One constructed by Murdoch University and the University of Adelaide is already in operation and the other is being constructed by California-based Aurora Algae, which has recognized the advantages of the Pilbara. The challenge to WA and to Australia will be to capitalize on the unique geographical advantages for the production of biofuel crops which have the potential to replace a significant proportion of our liquid fuel imports which are currently about $17 billion and which are expected to rise to about $30 billion by 2030.”
However, he warned that close collaboration among researchers, industry and all levels of government is required if the massive quantities of fuels required are to be realized. Borowitzka, who has 16 years of experience with cultivating algae, previously told ATW that Murdoch University is achieving the world’s best production rates of oil from algae grown in open saline ponds. He is the project leader for a joint A$3.3 million ($3.3 million) project involving the two universities.
Late last year Aurora, a producer of high-performance premium algae-based products, opened a regional headquarters in Perth to oversee construction and operation of the company’s first commercial-scale facility in the Pilbara region. The office is being led by Australian MD and company co-founder Matthew Caspari.
In a statement, Caspari said: “As we searched for the ideal location of our first commercial production facility, we identified a number of key factors that were critical to delivering maximum value from our high-tech farming process. The combination of a perfect climate and the right blend of resources, including abundant seawater, industrial CO2 and skilled labor, made northwestern Australia an ideal location for our initial high-yield commercial facility. These elements, combined with the outstanding support of the Australian government at all levels, makes Perth a perfect launching point for commercializing our technology.”
Source: ATW
