Support for advanced biofuels

ARENA is committed to continuing support for the development of advanced biofuels in Australia.

Previously the Australian Government committed $20 million to progress development of advanced biofuels.

On 10 May 2011, the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, established an Advisory Council to advise the Australian Government on how the funding could most effectively be allocated. 

The Minister also announced that James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, would receive a $5 million foundation grant.

On 14 December 2011, the Minister released the Advanced Biofuels Study.  The Study identifies the potential for the development of a competitive and sustainable biofuels industry in Australia and prospective technology pathways to get there.

On 24 February 2012, the Minister launched the $15 million competitive merit-based Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness program.  The program supports the development of advanced biofuels technologies by seeking to progress the deployment of pre-commercial demonstration projects for the production of high energy, drop-in advanced biofuels in Australia.

The Minister also announced at this time that the $5 million foundation grant to James Cook University would support the High Energy Algal Fuels Project.  The project will include the research, development and demonstration of biofuels from macroalgal feedstock.

On 28 February 2013, the Minister announced $9.8 million for two projects through the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program. This includes $5,423,155 to Licella Pty Ltd for its Biomass to Bio-crude: Producing Advanced Drop-in Fuels for Australia project and $4,398,000 to Muradel for its Advancing Established and Integrated Marine Microalgae Biofuel to Commercialisation project.

The Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program is closed and no further assessments under this program will be undertaken. ARENA will consider advanced biofuel and other biofuel proposals as part of its thematic and outcomes-focused General Funding Strategy and Investment Plan.

Related documents

 More information

For more information about the announcement of the James Cook University foundation grant project and the launch of the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program, see the Minister's Media Release.