RenewdUnder is a Melbourne-based importer and installer for Ankurscientific Biomass Gasification systems from India.
Could you describe some of the biggest changes RenewdUnder has witnessed in the bioenergy industry recently?
Over the nine months I have been here, the interest [in our engines] from government agencies and private investors has definitely increased significantly.
What are some of the challenges currently faced by players in the bioenergy industry?
Within my sphere, I see the Victorian feed-in tariff, which has a maximum system size of 1 megawatt (MW), to be a major hurdle. In biomass gasification, the economics do not work out until you touch 5 MW and above due to labour costs and occupational health and safety issues here in Australia. The Victorian Government has to up the ante and take it to 5 MW as soon as possible.
Three steps the bioenergy industry needs to take to play a larger role in contributing to the Renewable Energy Target (RET):
1. Ensure the parameters of the RET are as well suited to bioenergy as they are to wind and solar.
2. Disseminate more information to farmers, who are the principal generators of biomass waste.
3. Provide incentives directly to farmers to encourage the use of biomass to generate energy.
Advice you would give to new entrants to the bioenergy industry:
The bioenergy industry needs to join hands with existing players and create a bigger lobby without treating others as competition. There is enough for all for a very long time. The potential is great.
