Victoria Bioenergy Network Breakfast, Melbourne

I attended the fantastic Victorian Bioenergy Network Breakfast this week to discuss the market based certificate scheme to support development of #RenewableGas for industrial purposes. Keynote from Lily D’Ambrosio MP and amazing speakers Katie Brown and Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo with loads of time for questions from an engaged audience. The publication of the Renewable Gas Directions Paper is recognition that substitutes for fossil derived gas is necessary to meet Victoria's #netzero target by 2045.
Over 80 people attended this event (!!) which demonstrates the level of interest and demand for this topic - also, great work Victorian Bioenergy Network 👏

Highlights:
🐎 - Scheme to commence in 2027
🎯 - 1PJ target within first 3 years of scheme (scheme reviewed at 3yrs)
🎯 - 4.5 PJ target by 2035 (represents 6% of forecast gas demand)
⛽ - Highlights role of Biogas/biomethane, in addition to hydrogen
🏭 - Targets industrial gas use (low/high grade heat, electricity, fertiliser) where electrification is not commercially or technically feasible

Takeaways:
The target is too low - With projects needing to be implemented at scale, one project developer said they have 1-2PJ projects already in development. Melbourne Water is flaring 0.5PJ of biogas. A sample size of 2 projects would benefit from market incentives but will eclipse the current target. The general vibe in the room was 1PJ was too low.

Time to highlight Bioenergy - #Hydrogen has been the darling of the Federal Government. However, bioenergy/biomethane projects have been the poor cousin. It's time for a more inclusive definition of #Bioenergy with #biomethane to shine 🌞.

Project Delays - One project developer expressed frustration at significant delays with Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) for reviewing a project licence submission. No one wants to dispense with our environmental duty, however, delays act as a handbrake for #economicdevelopment in our state.

Water - Energy Nexus - Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo provided great examples of the nexus between water processing and energy. Melbourne Water installed their first anaerobic digestor 30 years ago which illustrates how AD is both old and new technology. I loved the openness to potential co-locating projects on Melbourne Water land assets.

Prepare a submission - The best way to influence this market based mechanism is to submit use cases and provide evidence to Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Email Gas.roadmap@decca.vic.gov.au There is also stakeholder forum early next year.

The event highlighted the crosscutting nature of #bioenergy #netzero #circulareconomy with a highly diverse range of industries represented. Fantastic final event for the year! 🎄