Plantation timber sawmill waste, macadamia kernels, coffee bean husks, methane capture from poultry farms and piggeries, together with dairy farm wastes could all be used generate electricity on the NSW north coast.
That’s the idea behind this year’s North Coast Energy Forum, which hopes to make the region the bioenergy capital of Australia.
A grassroots initiative founded in 2010 to help the north coast to ‘grow its own’ sustainable energy system, the forum is back this year in Lismore, on Friday May 31.
As well as a range of sessions there will also be a panel of local, state and federal politicians from a range of parties responding to ideas from the floor late in the day.
‘This should be a particularly lively session,’ said forum convener Mark Byrne.
‘The real innovation, though,’ said Mr Byrne, ‘is that we will be seeking to play to the region’s strengths – its high rainfall, good soils and suitability for a wide range of crops as well as native vegetation. Alongside an educated and environmentally passionate community, these make the north coast the ideal area to become the bioenergy capital of Australia.
‘We already have some of the biggest bioenergy plants in Australia, although they are not always living up to their potential. But we can learn from our early mistakes and develop a diversified portfolio of bioenergy projects with the long term aim of delivering, alongside other forms of renewable energy, all the region’s current and future energy needs.
‘The opportunities are enormous, in areas as diverse as plantation timber sawmill waste, macadamia kernels and coffee bean husks, and methane capture from poultry, piggery and dairy farm wastes.
‘A scoping study on the north coast’s bioenergy potential* is nearly complete, and will be a major focus of discussion at the forum,’ said Mark. Other local and regional initiatives will be flagged in the leadup to the forum on 31 May.
The North Coast Energy Forum will be held from 9am till 5pm on Friday 31 May in Lismore.
Go to www.facebook.com/northcoastenergyforum for more details, and www.trybooking.com/CPXS to register.
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