The project involves a technology that will convert biomass into a clean fuel for an engine that will then generate electricity.
“The technology that we have developed at FETI is ideal for small-scale applications,” P Lead researcher Professor Chun-Zhu Li said. “It could be used, for example, to generate electricity in remote areas that are away from the electricity network but close to biomass resources, such as wheat straw and mallee.”
To date, the technology has been demonstrated using a purpose-built lab-scale pilot plant.
The new funding will enable researchers to scale up the technology, with the aim of obtaining the data for the future design and operation of a commercial-scale biomass gasifier.
In its initial application, the gaseous fuel will be burned in a gas engine to generate green base-load electricity.
“The technology will bring significant social, economic and environmental benefits to Australia,” Professor Li said.
“In addition to contributing to an increased proportion of green base-load electricity in our electricity supply mix, this technology will assist significantly with regional development," he said.
Other partners in the research include Cryofin, Verve Energy and the Oil Mallee Association of Australia.
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