Australia's first grain-to-ethanol plant is up and running, generating huge interest as it seeks to meet most, if not all, its original strategic objectives.
Dalby Bio-Refinery Ltd’s (DBRL) production processes holds the key to transforming truck-loads of sorghum into quality green fuel.
Plus a number of equally significant by-products.
It’s been a long haul for all involved – a journey that began more than five years ago when the concept of locating a $140 million ethanol plant among some of the state’s prime sorghum-growing country was first mooted.
Initially, the world in general and the US in particular championed the renewable fuels revolution from grain.
The US ethanol program contrasts with Brazil's use of sugar as the primary feedstock in its ethanol revolution.
In the US, the upsurge in ethanol output saw thousands of hectares of farmland earmarked for producing ethanol, principally from corn.
Such was its momentum that at one stage the US had 125 operational ethanol plants with 80 or so more due to come on-stream as fast as they could be completed.
Originally, ethanol was seen as playing an important part in combating climate change since it produces ’cleaner’ emissions when compared with fossil fuels.
But early last year the United Nations appeared to have a change of heart when one official gained global mileage by suggesting ‘green energy’ was leading to thousands of acres of rain forest being cleared to grow crops for fuel, labelling it “a crime against humanity.”
Equally, a run of scare stories about the likely damage ethanol could inflict on car engines in this country did nothing to enhance consumer confidence in Australia.
Then there’s also been the Australian Lot Feeders Association’s long-standing opposition for any government support for grain-derived ethanol production.
But there have also been some upsides for the fledgling biofuels industry.
The Qld Government last year flagged its commitment to a 5pc ethanol mandate by 2010, and NSW also has indicated it wants an ethanol mandate.
Caltex reportedly has agreed to buy at least 30 million litres of ethanol annually for three years from the new DBRL operation.
So far, the Qld Government’s “+e” campaign has been labelled a success as motorists adopt a more conciliatory approach to biofuels.
Technical challenges at DBRL have been largely overcome with early talk of the Dalby plant being able to produce some 90-plus million litres of ethanol this year – up from its original target of 60 million litres for the first 12 months of the plant’s operational life.
As well as a steady flow of trucks coming in with the sorghum, tankers will combine to carry out ethanol and the less widely known by-products, such as ‘wet cake’ and syrup for beef and dairy producers.
Staff at the plant believe it has the capability to process about 200,000 tonnes of sorghum during 2009, amounting to a daily intake of some 550 tonnes.
Footnote: DBRL says it has purchased most of the sorghum it needs out to September of this year, currently offering three-year contracts to interested farmers.