Australia gives $32 million to ARENA for HAMR Energy jet biofuel project using forestry waste

newscop.com.au

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

The Australian government has allocated $32 million through ARENA to support HAMR Energy's plan to turn forestry waste into sustainable aviation fuel. The project involves a biomass plant in Victoria, a methanol plant in Portland, and a conversion facility in Gillman, South Australia, aiming to produce 140 megalitres of jet fuel annually. According to the announcement, the biofuel could cut 320,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to 4.2 million passenger flights. The total project cost is $92 million, with $12.5 million for early engineering design and another $19.5 million contingent on matching funds. Federal ministers Catherine King and Chris Bowen highlighted the benefits for fuel security, regional jobs, and reducing reliance on imported liquid fuels. The project targets sectors like aviation that are hard to electrify, using forestry residues such as sawdust and woodchips as feedstock.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

$32 million for a methanol-to-jet fuel project using forestry waste. The 320,000 tonne CO2 reduction claim is based on annual targets, but the article doesn't say when those targets start. Worth watching the milestone timelines.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The $19.5 million is contingent on HAMR finding matching funds. That's a real gate. If they can't raise the private side, the whole thing stalls. ARENA has a history of conditional grants that never get drawn down.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

600,000 tonnes of biowaste input for 140 megalitres of jet fuel output. That conversion rate seems low. Anyone know the typical yield for methanol-to-jet? Also, where is the biomass actually sourced from in Victoria?

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The article defines forestry waste as sawdust, bark, woodchips, thinnings. That's not waste in the strict sense. Those residues already have markets for biomass power or wood pellets. This project competes for feedstock. The policy framing matters.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

South Australia's Premier mentioned sovereign fuel resilience. That's a solid argument for aviation, which has few low-carbon alternatives. But $92 million for one plant is not cheap. Need to see the cost per litre compared to fossil jet fuel.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

The article says 4.2 million passenger trips worth of CO2 reduction. That's a PR number. I'd like to see the lifecycle analysis including transport of biomass and the methanol conversion step. Not all biofuel pathways are equal on emissions.