PROGRAM

DAY 1 - December 4

07:30 REGISTRATION
08:30 § Welcome - Dr. Roslyn Prinsley - RIRDC and Chairperson of Bioenergy Australia
§ Opening by either Minister Hill/Truss/Minchin/ Tuckey - (invited)
§ Overview of Bioenergy 2000 - Dr Stephen Schuck, Bioenergy Australia Manager

PLENARY SESSION

09:20 § The Why and Watt of Bioenergy - Prof. Ralph Sims, Massey University, NZ

why biomass offers huge potential as a renewable energy source

what are the business and project opportunities

what technologies are available for commercial use

what are the economics and broad environmental issues of bioenergy

09:50 § Policy and Programs to Foster Bioenergy in Australia - Gwen Andrew, Chief Executive, AGO

the role of the Australian Greenhouse Office

Commonwealth activities to foster greenhouse gas abatement and the renewable industry

prospects and expectations for bioenergy

programs geared to assist bioenergy

10:20 MORNING TEA

10:40 § RIRDC's Framework Program for Developing Energy Crops - Dr Roslyn Prinsley, RIRDC

the role of the Rural Industries R&D Corporation

the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program

bioenergy opportunities from agroforestry

development of a research program to further biofuel development

11:10 § Bioenergy and Carbon from Forestry - Dr Tony O'Hara, State Forests NSW

new environmental markets for forestry

carbon and bioenergy development in NSW

11:40 § The Biomass Energy Opportunity in Australia and the Role of Bioenergy Australia - Dr Stephen Schuck, Bioenergy Australia Manager

key drivers for bioenergy in Australia

formation of the Bioenergy Australia

promotion and development of bioenergy in Australia

links to the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy program

12:10 § An Environmental Group's Perspective - Jeff Angel, Total Environment Centre

the imperative for renewable energy

the acceptability of biomass as a renewable energy source

working with green groups in developing bioenergy

12:45 LUNCH

CASE STUDIES

14:00 Session 1
Facilitating Bioenergy in NSW - Andrew Burnard, SEDA

SEDA's biofuels and bioenergy assessment studies

facilitating bioenergy projects

Providing the incentives to implement projects

14:30 The Economics and Technical Viability of Ethanol from Wood - providing renewable transport fuel - Bob Gordon, Australian Biofuels Association

status of technology for producing ethanol from wood

the market for ethanol in the transportation sector

establishment of a pilot plant at Bomaderry, NSW

15:00 AFTERNOON TEA

15:30 Biological Conversation of Organic Wastes to Energy - Ron Mendelsohn, MRM

production of combustible biogas with an anaerobic digester

environmental and energy benefits

the digestate as a fertiliser

16:00 Biomass Co-Firing with Coal - Speaker TBC

low cost, high energy conversion efficiency of biomass

international and Australian experiences

co-firing issues

16:30 FINISH

14:00 Session 2
Mallee Eucalypts for Electricity, Activated Carbon and Oil - a new regional industry - Adrian Chegwidden, Western Power Corporation

structuring and implementing a project

multiple values from oil mallees

14:30 Stanwell Corporation's Bioenergy Projects with the Sugar Industry - Trevor Gleeson, Stanwell Corporation Ltd.

the emerging market for renewable energy

challenges in working with outside organizations to develop bioenergy

creating a portfolio of bioenergy products

15:00 AFTERNOON TEA

15:30 Gasification of Green and Municipal Solid Wastes - Paul Whiteman, CEO, Brightstar Environmental

the benefits of gasification technology

Whytes Gully green waste and solid waste to energy recycling facility projects

The challenges of introducing innovative technology

16:00 VISY's Tumut Cogeneration Power Plant - Ron Hardwick, VISY

bioenergy at Australia's newest pulp and paper mill

description of power plant at mill

securing biofuel supplies

16:30 FINISH

19:30 COCKTAILS & CONFERENCE DINNER

DAY 2 - December 5

08:00 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Dr Roslyn Prinsley, RIRDC

PLENARY SESSION

08:15 The Transition to a Bioenergy Future - Dr Stephen Schuck, Bioenergy Australia
08:30 Biomass Combustion - Ingwald Obernberger (Austria)

MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Professor Ralph Sims will act as rapporteur for all panels to distil the discussion into a balanced view for inclusion into the Proceedings.

09:00 Biofuels Availability - Moderator: Dr Roslyn Prinsley
Each panellist will give a five minute presentation on the scale and availability of biofuels and resource management. Discussion to consider collection, handling and transport issues, and the indicative costs of supplying biofuels.

10:00 MORNING TEA

10:30 Technology Availability - Moderator: Dr Stephen Bygrave
Individual panellists will be invited to give a brief presentation on their view of the readiness and cost effectiveness of bioenergy technologies. An assessment of what technologies are currently available or about to come onto the market, and their research and development needs, will then take place amongst all participants.

11:30 Environmental, Social and Institutional Issues - Moderator: Bruce Coomber
Topics envisaged to be covered by the panel are: sustainability of biofuels, global and local environment, salinity, landcare, regional development, employment and perception of bioenergy.

12:30 LUNCH

13:30 Investment in Bioenergy - Moderator: Malcolm Park
Panel discussion to assess the investment criteria and the critical elements and requirements for projects to be financed and proceed.

14:30 The Market for Bioenergy - Moderator: Wes Stein
Panel discussion to consider issues relating to marketing bioenergy and customer needs and perceptions. Discussion to link to greenhouse gas abatement and how this can be accommodated under GreenPower and the 9500GWh (+2%) mandate.

15:30 AFTERNOON TEA

16:00 Distillation of Panel Discussions and the Way Forward - Presenter Prof. Ralph Sims
A summary of the outcomes and issues arising from the Panel Discussions.

17:00 FINISH

DAY 3 - December 6

08:00 SITE VISITS (Optional Conference Tour)
Technical visits are being arranged to VISY's fluidised bed combustor in Brisbane and the biogas power plant at Luggage Point. A visit to the Rocky Point Sugar Mill which is being converted for year round operation on bagasse and other biofuels is also planned.

Registration & Accommodation Details:

Delegate Type Early Late On-Site
Member $400 $500 $550
Non-Member $500 $600 $650
Farmer/ $250 $250 $250
or Student (subject to approval)

Accommodation:
03/12/00 Standard Single $136.00 per room incl.(incl. B'fast & GST)
04/12/00 Standard Single $136.00 per room incl.(incl. B'fast & GST)
05/12/00 Standard Single $136.00 per room incl.(incl. B'fast & GST)