THE HON DR MIKE KELLY AM MP

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence

Member for Eden-Monaro

 

 

Algae.Tec Shoalhaven facility leading the world in clean energy innovation

  10 December 2012

Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly today visited the pioneering Shoalhaven Algae. Tec facility, which is using advanced technology to produce low cost, high grade biofuel using algae.

Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly today visited the pioneering Shoalhaven Algae. Tec facility, which is using advanced technology to produce low cost, high grade biofuel using algae.

 

Dr Kelly, who has a passion for renewable energy, was briefed by company representatives in their process and the wide-ranging potential of their products.

 

This technology not only adds to the Southern region’s wealth of renewable energy projects, it has the ability to address Australia’s energy security needs by reducing our reliance on imported oil and fossil fuels, and to cut pollution.

 

In Israel and China, for example, the carbon-hungry algae are being used to abate emissions from coal-fired power stations that are a similar size to the ones used in Australia.

 

Dr Kelly said it was fantastic to see world-leading innovation in our own backyard.

 

“This region is fast becoming a flagship for renewable energy in Australia,” he said.

 

“We have already seen over $1billion being invested in renewable energy projects in Eden-Monaro and the lower Shoalhaven region – that includes wind and wave energy, solar, biomass and geothermal.

 

“To have a company like Algae.Tec here in Bomaderry, which recently signed a collaboration agreement with Lufthansa to produce aviation biofuels and also with Holcim Lanka, is a wonderful boon. The possibilities of this technology are extremely exciting.

 

“Their algae technology has almost no impact on the environment and could potentially eliminate emissions from coal-fired power stations.”

 

Algae.Tec Executive Chairman Roger Stroud said the biofuels technology showcased here in Shoalhaven is the same technology that will be used by the company’s global aviation and transport fuel clients.

 

“We currently have feasibility studies underway with interested parties in Texas, Brazil, China, Sri Lanka and Germany, as well as another site in New South Wales,” said Mr Stroud.

 

“The Shoalhaven facility has already had VIP visits from some of the world’s largest companies wanting to see how the technology delivers sustainable low cost fuel, carbon capture, and energy security.”

 

 

Media contact: Robbie Rynehart 0459 810 654