As part of its commitment to establish the $20 million Australian Biofuels Research Institute, the Federal budget has provided $5 million for a foundation project at James Cook University in Townsville.

 

James Cook University, which has research expertise in algae production, has begun developing its proposal for the foundation project.

 

The Government has also announced the appointment of an Establishment Council  to advise on setting up the Institute and to oversee the development of a Biofuels Economics Study.  

 

This study, commissioned by the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy, will inform the priorities of the Institute, examining the prospects for developing biofuels that are neither derived from food sources nor will deplete Australian native forests.

 

The study will also inform the Government on technical developments of next-generation biofuels worldwide and the economics of next-generation biofuels technologies, drawing on international and Australian research, development and commercialisation activities.

 

Members of the ABRI Establishment Council include:

  • Chair – Dr Bruce Godfrey, Australian Centre for Renewable Energy Board and principal of the Wyld Group
  • Dr Susan Pond - Adjunct Professor of the Dow Sustainability Program at the University of Sydney
  • Mr Mehrdad Baghai - Managing Director of Alchemy Growth Partners; current Chairman, Australian American Leadership Education Foundation (Leadership Dialogue); Former Executive Director CSIRO
  • Mr Peter Broschofsky - Head of Environment and Fuel Conservation for Qantas Airways Ltd
  • Dr Tony Haymet - Director Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Former Director CSIRO, Co- founder of CleanTech San Diego
  • Professor Thomas Maschmeyer - Professor of Chemistry, Sydney University
  • Professor Rocky de Nys - Professor of Aquaculture, James Cook University
  • Mr Martin Hoffman - Deputy Secretary, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism