- Likely customers - Potential demand , seasonality and demand drivers
• Supply chain / feedstock discussion including assumed : - Example feedstocks - Tonnages required - Typical feedstock supply locations - Feedstock availability , seasonality and / or potential for supply including land area and infrastructure requirements
- Potential feedstock aggregation points
- Transport and infrastructure requirements
- Key supply chain drivers , supply uncertainties and challenges
• Processing and distribution discussion including assumptions for scenarios of land and infrastructure requirements for plant
• By-products and value adding discussion including : - By-products or co-products that could emerge from core bioproduct production processes
- Processing / reprocessing of waste to produce useful by-products - Waste to energy opportunities - Processes and plant required .
BIOPRECINCT BENEFITS Using a bioprecinct concept approach may increase the attractiveness , benefits and synergies of co-locating biorefineries into mutually beneficial ecosystems . This approach will facilitate the commercialisation and market deployment of environmentally sound , socially acceptable , and cost-competitive bio-based systems and technologies , and to provide jobs and growth for the local communities .
Some of the key considerations in selecting a suitable site for a proposed biorefining production facility would require year-round supplies of the following utilities and operational elements :
• Sufficient available land for entire proposed integrated facility
• Environmental licence to operate
• Steam for processing heat and energy
• Energy supply
• Water for process , cooling and amenities
• Effluent treatment systems
• Road access
• Access to agricultural feedstocks
• Access to process chemicals
• Proximity to logistics chain , skilled staff , labour and equipment suppliers
• Access to a cargo port for export sales .
Several regions in Australia are actively pursuing the development of bioprecincts , to create a cluster of synergistic bioprocessing facilities including the New South Wales government ’ s Special Activation Precincts . Co-locating and building a bio-based precinct can provide centralised facilities to take advantage of existing infrastructure and energy , create energy parks ( steam and power ) to support multiple processing facilities .
Anchor stakeholders can provide in-kind infrastructure to a bioprecinct ( road , rail , electricity and water ) resulting in capex reductions and additional revenue . Coinvestment with industry ( public-private partnerships ) may assist to achieve an agreed investment payback period or lease of facilities arrangements .
REFERENCES RDA MIW ( Regional Development Australia ) MIW Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Agricultural Overview 2016
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
STEPHEN CUTTING Steve is a senior mechanical engineer and engineering manager with Aurecon in Mackay with over 35 years ’ experience . Steve was born and bred in Ingham and is intimately familiar with North and
Central Queensland , sugar and biofuel production . Steve has also worked in sugar mills in the Herbert , Burdekin and Ord River areas . Steve was Chief Engineer through the establishment of the Ord River District sugar industry , Chief Engineer at the Sarina Distillery ethanol plant and is a keen advocate for biofuels and renewable energy . With Aurecon , Steve has been involved in a large range of sugar , mining and bioenergy projects in design consultancies and acting as Owner ’ s Engineer .
KATE LARGE Kate is a senior environmental and urban planner with Aurecon in Mackay with over 15 years ’ experience . Kate has provided advice on a wide range of developments in Queensland and the Northern
Territory . She is a Registered Planner with the Planning Institute of Australia . Kate has recently provided advice on a number of biofutures projects across Queensland . She has also recently led a site selection assessment for a biofutures project and developed an investor brochure for the MIW region .
VOL 13 NO 2 2020 34 www . edaustralia . com . au