Victorian Bioenergy Network
Case Studies
Explore bioenergy industry development in a range of local case studies. These case studies focus on the benefits of bioenergy in particular applications.
Bioenergy Case Studies
Radial Timber's Innovative Biochar Initiative
Radial Timber has been exploring ways to utilize local wood waste to promote a localized circular economy on-site.
Latrobe City Landfill Bioenergy Project
This case study examines Latrobe City, the largest regional council in Gippsland, traditionally recognised as the centre of Victoria’s electricity industry.
Trentleck Bioenergy-Integrated Greenhouses
Trent Mair, from Trentleck, a CleanTECH company based in the Latrobe Valley, has been a pioneer in promoting renewable energy technologies locally and internationally for the past decade, with a particular focus on Bioenergy.
Radial Timber's Innovative Biochar Initiative
“We’ve got plenty of resource, plenty of forestry residue. The beauty of the continuous char maker is you can put through much larger volumes. Take the biochar and put it into degraded soils to improve it – I love this circular economy story.”
Radial Timber, located in Yarram, South Gippsland on Gunai Kurnai Country, is a successful local timber mill with a strong strategy for its mainstream operations. Recently, Radial Timber has been exploring ways to utilize local wood waste to promote a localized circular economy on-site.
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To advance this initiative, Radial Timber has installed a pilot plant using pyrolysis technology. This process burns wood residues at high temperatures without oxygen, producing biochar—a stable, carbon-rich solid that can fertilize and endure in soil for thousands of years.
The project, identified by Chris McEvoy three to four years ago, required significant capital investment. The $1 million continuous biochar maker, resulting from three years of research and development, is a joint venture between Radial Timber, Earth Systems from Port Melbourne (providing the technology), and Spiegel Bioenergy, a South Gippsland battery supplier owned by John and Linda Ballis.
Key Features of the Project
- Utilization of Saw Mill Residues: Radial Timber has a surplus of sawmill residues, an ideal feedstock for pyrolysis.
- Integration with Solar Power: The site is equipped with an industrial-scale solar system with battery backup.
- Onsite Power Generation: The pyrolysis process generates heat and electricity for the site.
- Battery Storage: Batteries store energy for night-time use.
- Heat Utilisation: Excess heat from the pyrolysis process is used for various mill operations.
- Liquid Recovery: Liquids produced during pyrolysis are recovered and utilized.
These features support a circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource and enhancing soil health with biochar.
Latrobe City Landfill Bioenergy Project
This case study examines Latrobe City, the largest regional council in Gippsland, traditionally recognised as the centre of Victoria’s electricity industry. Latrobe City spans 1,426 square kilometres and is home to over 75,000 residents. The area is situated on the land of the Brayakaulung people of the Kurnai Nation and comprises urban hubs, regional farms, and urban bushland.
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The narrative begins with Wayne Sim, Latrobe City Waste Manager, who sought solutions for the methane gas generated at the local landfill. Initially, the team considered flaring the biogas but questioned whether this was the best approach.
Wayne’s investigation into biogas utilisation revealed various opportunities. Developing a business case became essential to prove the project’s viability, which would be a significant investment for both his department and the Latrobe City Council. Wayne’s team gathered data from similar international landfills and completed the business case, which was then pitched to the council. However, the project faced a five-year delay (2013-2018) until a new senior leadership team revived it.
The final step involved partnering with Diamond Energy, which won the tender to support the project. This partnership enabled Latrobe City to register for carbon credits, as capturing methane reduced emissions. Diamond Energy facilitated a process allowing Latrobe City to offset operational costs by trading carbon certificates with organisations needing to lower their emissions.
This initiative proved invaluable for Latrobe City Council, generating revenue and reducing operational costs. The project became self-funded with a payback period of three years and offered additional benefits, such as providing discounted energy to community organisations and sporting facilities. Within the first twelve months, up to $250,000 in carbon credits were generated.
Trentleck Bioenergy-Integrated Greenhouses
"We need to start implementing these projects across the region to showcase our local capacity for developing future renewable energy solutions"
The global shift towards renewable energy is transforming economies, and Gippsland is contributing its own unique innovations. Trent Mair, from Trentleck, a CleanTECH company based in the Latrobe Valley, has been a pioneer in promoting renewable energy technologies locally and internationally for the past decade, with a particular focus on Bioenergy.
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Despite being relatively unknown, bioenergy has gained traction thanks to Trent’s efforts. He has assisted numerous residents and businesses in installing anaerobic digester systems, which convert organic waste into bioenergy. Recently, Trent has developed a greenhouse system that integrates anaerobic digestion, allowing green waste produced within the greenhouse to be converted into bioenergy.
This innovative design creates a closed-loop waste system within the greenhouse, making it ideal for both home and commercial use, with clear opportunities for scaling up.
Traditionally, greenhouse farmers have focused solely on food production. However, this system enables users to generate their own heat using biomass waste produced in the greenhouse. This heat can be used to maintain the greenhouse temperature, enhance the photosynthesis process, and efficiently manage excess carbon created during heat conversion.
Trent has been piloting this technology with the Victorian Government, and the results have been highly promising.
Trent aims to install these systems for farmers and residential households over the next twelve months, promoting the adoption of Bioenergy and the transformation of waste into a renewable energy resource.
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