Australia’s biofuels expertise in the spotlight at G’Day USA

Austrade media release

14 January 2011

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) will be raising the profile of Australia’s clean energy capabilities and demonstrating the increasing trade and investment opportunities for Australia in biofuels next week in San Diego, during G’Day USA: Australia Week 2011.

For the second year the Austrade organised seminar and networking event (18 January) will attract industry leaders in research, investment and the corporate community from both Australia and the US.

Austrade’s Regional Director for the Americas, Grame Barty, said the panel (see speaker list following) will discuss the developments, challenges and opportunities in biofuels and raise Australia’s profile as a natural business partner for the US, especially with the San Diego region – one of the recognised global innovation commercialisation centres for algae biofuels.

“There are many synergies and opportunities for collaboration and partnership between Australia and the San Diego biofuels community, that is why collaboration in technology, skills, and sites between our two countries can help in driving the industry’s development forward,” Mr Barty said.

“The event will highlight why Australia is a very attractive value proposition for US companies and investors looking for new international sites for industrial scale production in advanced biofuels, and especially algae-derived biofuels.

“This includes Australia’s large landmass, ample direct sunlight, availability of brackish water and access to large CO2 producers, as well as being a safe, secure and reliable location to build and operate major commercial energy projects.

“Australian industry is also highly experienced in managing very large energy and resource projects and companies recognise this skill set as being important when big investments are required.

“We are already seeing strong investor interest in Australia from the US across the bio-economy space, including algae, from companies like Boeing, Aurora Algae, Amyris, Coskata, Sapphire Energy, Origin Oil, and Syngenta,” Mr Barty said.

Californian-based Aurora Algae announced late last year it was establishing its regional headquarters in Perth and plans to set up its first commercial production facility in north-western Australia.

Aurora Algae attributed a combination of a perfect climate and the right blend of resources - including abundant seawater, industrial CO2 and skilled labour – as key factors in making its decision.

Australia has a growing number of pilot and demonstration sites across the country including in Western Australia (Karratha), South Australia (Torrens Island), Queensland (Townsville) and Victoria (Latrobe Valley).

“The Australian Government is also supportive of advanced biofuels projects that support our energy security and greenhouse gas abatement policy objectives,” Mr Barty said.

This is demonstrated through the Government’s $5.1 billion Clean Energy Initiative which includes allocated funding for a Biofuels Institute, second generation biofuels R&D and for renewable demonstration projects.

The seminar will be followed by a networking event with cleantech industry professionals, researchers and investors.

G’Day USA - Australia Week 2011 is a unique collaboration between the Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Trade Commission and Tourism Australia), Qantas Airways and five Australian State governments (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria), with strong support from business, universities and the arts community.

G’Day USA represents the first time that Australia’s new international brand identity ‘Australia Unlimited’ has been promoted in the USA.

Algae Biofuels Forum Participants

Introduction:
Grame Barty, Australian Trade Commission Regional Director - The Americas

Moderator:
Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest – CEO / Editor In Chief

Panellists:

Peter Broschofsky - Qantas, Head of Environment

Michael Lakeman - Boeing, Regional Director, Biofuels Strategy, Commercial Airplanes
Dr. David Lewis - University of Adelaide, Lecturer PhD and key leader of large scale algae biofuel project
Dr. Stephen Mayfield – San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology, Director and John Dove Isaacs Chair of Natural Philosophy Department of Biological Sciences University of California, San Diego
Tim Morrison - Murdoch University, Director, Research, Strategy, Innovation & Commercialisation
Dr. Jason Pyle - Sapphire Energy, CEO

For further information on events being conducted during Australia week, visit: www.australia-week.com.

ENDS