About this Event

Bioenergy is sometimes referred to as the ‘forgotten renewable’. While media attention is often focused on large-scale wind and solar power, cost-efficient opportunities for harnessing bioenergy are being actively investigated by industry across Australia.

This Australian Institute of Energy webinar will include a presentation from Bioenergy Australia, a member-based organisation that seeks to champion the potential of bioenergy in Australia, provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and raise the profile of bioenergy and its potential role in assisting Australia with achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

We will also hear from Frontier Impact, who will provide insight into their Sustainable Diesel project in Collie, Western Australia, which was recently awarded a WA State Government Collie Futures Small Grant. We will hear about the technology in use at the site, the value-added products it creates and the project’s economic viability.

Tickets

This webinar is complimentary to AIE and Bioenergy Australia Members and $5 for non-members.

Presenters

Shahana McKenzie: Bioenergy Australia

Shahana McKenzie is the CEO of Bioenergy Australia. Since joining Bioenergy Australia in 2017, Shahana has the responsibility for leading Bioenergy Australia’s contribution on matters such as climate science, jobs creation, regional development, and energy supply, to ensure national benefits for the next decade and beyond. An immediate priority for Bioenergy Australia is to ensure bioenergy features prominently in considerations at all levels of government as they plan and implement energy strategies and policies.

Shahana has been appointed as:

• International Energy Agency Bioenergy, Australian Exco Joint Committee Member
• Member of the Commonwealth Fuel Standards Consultative Committee
• Member of the NSW Forest Industries Taskforce R&D Advisory Group
• Member of the ACCC Fuel Consultative Committee
• Member of the NSW Government Biofuels Expert Panel
• Member of the QLD Bio futures Industry Advisory Group

Jennifer Lauber Patterson: Frontier Impact Group

From a background in pioneering sustainable solutions in banking at NAB and ANZ, and energy generation in the Latrobe Valley, Jennifer Lauber Patterson established Frontier Impact Group (FIG) in 2012 to drive both the business and economic benefits of environmentally sustainable investments and strategies. FIG builds on Jennifer’s unique experiences and networks to directly and strategically assist businesses and the community to bring environmental and energy sustainability projects to fruition.

One of Jennifer’s passions is to support bioenergy projects to assist in Australia moving to a higher level of fuel security. FIG is currently undertaking is a feasibility study of a renewable fuel project in Collie, WA. Jennifer believes that there is the potential to develop a minimum of 50 of these projects in Australia that would provide regional Australia with 900 M litres of renewable fuel on an annual basis with an additional 7 days of additional fuel security.

Jennifer is a 2020 Telstra Victorian Women’s Business Awards finalist, and has served on a number of boards/committees and has served on the boards of Sustainability Victoria, Yarra Energy Foundation and is a currently board member of Carbon8. Jennifer is an advisor to the Southern Cross Regenerative Farming Alliance Business Working Group.