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June 24, 2014

Experts get to grips with slippery topic of biofuels at public debate

Could algae be the solution to the vexed problem of developing sustainable biofuels? 

A panel of world-leading experts will take on the sometimes-controversial topic of converting plant mass to diesel and ethanol fuels at a free public debate in Sydney tonight (24 June).

The Great Biofuels Debate is part of the (ISAP), which is being held for the first time in Australia and brings together international experts in the study of aquatic ecosystems such as algae and seaweed.

¾«¶«´«Ã½ of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (UOW) Honoray Fellow and ISAP congress co-host Dr Pia Winberg said aquatic industries such as seaweed cultivation had arrange of exciting applications, from sustainable seafood to medical implants.

Another application involves using farmed algae as a biomass that could be chemically converted to fuels such as diesel or ethanol. However, debate continues around whether this type of fuel is truly sustainable as current biomass sources of sugar cane and canola often compete for arable land with food crops.

Production of biofuels also raises difficult questions about the relationship between biofuel production and food prices, reducing biodiversity and damage to ecosystems as well as increased demand for water. European energy ministers this month approved a cap of 7 per cent of food-based biofuels in transport fuel.

Dr Winberg said that in theory algae grows much faster than land plants and could provide the much needed biofuels biomass without competing with food resources.

“The challenge has been economic viability. A plethora of blue-sky promises and unfounded statements have tarnished the trust in the concept of algal biofuels for the future, and controversial funding as well as rejection of the technology has been rife in this last decade of seeking viable biofuels.”

Dr Winberg said the forum, hosted by media personality Adam Spencer, would present expert views from across the spectrum, from sceptics to some of the most respected and long-term innovators in this field.

Debate speakers include:

• Associate Professor John Benemann, MicroBio Engineering Inc
• Professor Michael Borowitzka, Murdoch ¾«¶«´«Ã½
• Professor Paul G Falkowski, Rutgers ¾«¶«´«Ã½
• Professor Kirsten Heimann, James Cook ¾«¶«´«Ã½ School of Marine & Tropical Biology
• Dr Deborah O’Connell, CSIRO • Professor Susan Pond, The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of Sydney

More than 35 countries will be represented at the congress, held for the first time in Australia.

“This is a chance for Australia to be part of a growing worldwide trend to use seaweed and other aquaculture products to build environmentally and economically sustainable industries,” Dr Winberg said.

Dr Winberg and researchers at UOW are using seaweed extracts for use in medical implants and tissue engineering.

“It’s not only about biofuels. There are countries in South East Asia who rely on seaweed villages for their socio-economic progress; to Germany and New Zealand where algae are being used as the frontier of waste water treatment; and to Canada where an agricultural future for healthy livestock without anti-biotics is being realised with the help of seaweeds.”

UOW is represented at Congress by nine staff and students, including Professor Gordon Wallace who will be a part of the BioMarine Think Tank - Commercialising a new frontier of marine phycopolymers for health and medical applications.

The Great Biofuels Debate

When: 6pm – 8pm, Tuesday 24 June 2014
Where: Bay 4 Theatre, Australian Technology Park, 2 Locomotive Street, Sydney
RSVP: Register for free tickets at registration@isap2014.com
More: Visit the

Media contact: Dr Pia Winberg on +61 429 338 846 or pia@uow.edu.au