Publication Review: "Research Priorities for Native

Species Bioenergy Crops"

by Maree

The paper I am reviewing is "Research Priorities for Native Species Bioenergy Crops"
published by the Australian Government Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation (RIRDC) in August 2009. The authors of this report are Professor Robert
Henry and Dr Nicole Rice. Prof Henry is the Director of the Centre for Plant Conservation
Genetics at Southern Cross University, while Dr Nicole Rice is the Curator of the
Australian Plant DNA Bank Limited at the same university. This paper was accessed on
24/08/2009 via https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/09-127.

The paper focuses and the need to research the use of native species as bioenergy
feedstock, what criteria should be used to select potential species for this, as well as
identifying the key research requirements.

The paper's target audience is the biofuels industry, including scientists, primary
producers, industry representatives, biofuels organisations and local, state and federal
government agencies.

The RIRDC funded the report, and the set of RIRDC objectives this paper relates to are:
• the development of new crops
• assessing productiviity, feasibility and environmental impacts for new crops in
bioenergy and bioproducts (new areas)
• assessing, defining and certifying sustainable yield of biomass from waste
management, agriculture and forestry systems

Research Priorities for Native Species Bioenergy Crops talks about how maize, sugarcane
and oilseeds are largely the feed stocks for the biofuel production industry, and because
these are crops of traditional farming and used for food, these are not without fault in
the food versus fuel debate for biofuel production - not simply for the crop itself but the
land used for growing biofuel feed stocks that could otherwise be growing food crops or
supporting livestock. The authors believe that developing Australian native plants as feed
stocks for second generation biofuel production will mean creating new crops that are
able to grow on marginal land, and which are well suited and adaptable to the climatic
zones of Australia.

This report discusses current biofuel production in Australia, being two ethanol plants
(130 ML) from grain, sugarcane and wheat, as well as four biodiesel plants (75 ML) from
oilseeds, tallow, used cooking oil, palm oil and jatropha. Two new ethanol plants are
expected to be open in 2009 to bring the total ethanol production to 400 ML, and if algae
as feedstock proves successful, 300 ML of biodiesel production may be possible by 2011.

As well as the food versus fuel debate, other policy drivers for developing new sources of
biofuel feedstock discussed in the report include the need to concentrate on second
generation technologies, the need for an overall positive energy return and to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate severe climate change, and finally the need to
scale up the industry for both emissions and peak oil reasons.

Research Priorities for Native Species Bioenergy Crops does point out the amount of time
that will be needed to develop potential Australian native species as well as develop the
infrastructure, supply chains and public acceptance of the fuel. The authors mention
disadvantages of looking at native species (and new crops in general) is that there is no
current production systems in place, few nurseries for plant material and lack of general
supply, harvest and other infrastructure in marginal land areas.
Regarding the use of native species, the ideal plant will produce high energy biomass,
have low costs for transport and harvest, and grow on marginal land with minimal
inputs. The authors believe most of the work in selecting species will revolve around
determining the biomass composition of plants and determining the matching biofuel
conversion technology. Understanding the genetics may also play a role in understanding
and selecting candidate species for feedstock.

One of the main deliverables of this report is that it outlines the criteria for selecting
suitable native plants for biofuel development. This list was determined during a one day
workshop and includes 22 points (too numerous to name here). Generally they include
things like biomass yield, resource use, potential for co-products, how compatible it is
with traditional farming and how well it might scale.

The report also provides a list of research areas required in order to develop native
species as feedstock. This includes chemical analysis of plants biomass and the
suitability for the different biofuel conversion techniques, as well as life cycle analysis
and supply chain processes. The authors also believe that breeding may play a part in
the research and development of Australian plants for biofuels.

My personal view on the findings of this report are that developing native flora for
biofuels is clearly still at its very early stages of research and development is likely to be
a long way off unless lucky strikes are made in the field. There does seem to be some
potential for revegetaion of marginal land (such as salinity affected land) at the same
time and research, development and production, with the possibility of habitat
development. Life cycle analysis work on native species may lead to information that can
help with the selection of species best for rehavilitating degraded land. I believe it is
possible that advancements in science may be made in the fields of medicine, food,
textiles and solvents while analysing Australian plants that have yet to be looked at in
such detail. Knowledge gained about matching chemical composition to conversion
technology is likely to be intellectual property that Australia can export. Marginal or
degraded land use for biofuel cropping may be positive for the farmers wallet in the long
term. However, the overall message I got from the report is that it will require a lot
more time, money and work to develop new crops, and I believe the need to work on
energy efficiency in the meantime is a very important stop gap measure.