MEDIA RELEASE: NEW COLLABORATION TO DRIVE INCREASED UPTAKE OF RENEWABLES IN AUSTRALIA
Published Wed 22 Jul 2020
New Collaboration to Drive Increased Uptake of Renewables in Australia
Wednesday 22 July 2020
The Clean Energy Council and Bioenergy Australia today announce that a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations has been signed to drive an increased level of understanding, uptake and engagement in renewable energy generation in Australia.
Bioenergy involves the efficient extraction of sustainable energy from biomass residues. The International Energy Agency’s market analysis and forecast report has identified that bioenergy was the source of half of all renewable energy used globally in 2017 and is forecast to see the biggest growth in renewable consumption between 2018 and 2023. Typical forms of bioenergy are liquid transport fuels, green gas and electricity and heat.
Research by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has found that bioenergy could contribute up to 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity generation in 2030, something that Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton says should be embraced as the nation looks towards a cleaner future.
“Bioenergy can operate across the entire energy system and supports domestic fuel security, emission reduction and waste minimisation. Bioenergy is also a key opportunity for transitioning regional Australia and providing billions of dollars in investment and hundreds of thousands of jobs,” says Thornton.
“Bioenergy can operate to support other renewable energy types, and we look forward to driving a collaborative renewable energy sector moving forward.”
Looking at the transport industry, biofuels have been identified as a key player in the decarbonisation of the sector, particularly in heavy road vehicles, aviation and shipping. A recent report by ClimateWorks Australia highlights that mainstream use of biofuels is assumed to begin in 2030, reaching a penetration of 44 per cent of aviation fuel and 25 per cent of shipping fuel by 2040.
Similarly, bioenergy systems are the largest source of existing renewable process heat and are increasingly adopted where a low or zero cost biomass resource is available. In such cases, they are often already cost-competitive with gas or other fossil fuel sources. According to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, meeting up to around 30 per cent of total national heat demand is technically possible.
Bioenergy Australia CEO Shahana McKenzie adds “The 2019 announcement by Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor for the development of The National Bioenergy Roadmap presents a significant opportunity for the integration of bioenergy and bio products within the renewable energy agenda.
“The Clean Energy Council and Bioenergy Australia, alongside all their members, look forward to a productive working relationship.”
-ENDS-
Media contacts:
Jane Aubrey
Media Manager, Clean Energy Council
jaubrey@cleanenergycouncil.org.au
0409 470 683
Cara Smith
Marketing and Membership Manager, Bioenergy Australia
cara@bioenergyaustralia.org.au
0497 531 021
About Clean Energy Council
The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia. We represent and work with Australia's leading renewable energy and energy storage businesses, as well as rooftop solar installers, to further the development of clean energy in Australia. We are committed to accelerating the transformation of Australia’s energy system to one that is smarter and cleaner. For more information visit cleanenergycouncil.org.au.
About Bioenergy Australia
Bioenergy Australia is the peak body representing Australia's bioenergy industry. We are committed to accelerating Australia’s bioeconomy. Our mission is to foster the bioenergy sector to generate jobs, secure investment, maximise the value of local resources, minimise waste and environmental impact, and develop and promote national bioenergy expertise into international markets. For more information visit bioenergyaustralia.org.au.