Biotech Updates

Scientists to Turn Waste into Energy

March 18, 2011

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) of Australia launched the CSIRO Energy Transformed Cluster in collaboration with leading Australian and UK universities. The three-year project aims to produce biofuels from waste plant feedstocks through enzyme biotechnology techniques. This project has the potential to provide 30 percent of Australia's transport needs in the future.

According to the CSIRO's Energy Transformed Flagship Director, Dr. Alex Wonhas, sustainable biofuels can significantly reduce emissions from transport, strengthen energy security, and create new business opportunities.

"Second-generation biofuels that are produced from agricultural waste could potentially be a cost competitive, low-carbon fuel that will keep our cars on the road and planes in the sky," Dr. Wonhas said. He also added that with the current oil price hike, alternatives such as biofuels could be economically attractive.

Read the media release at http://www.csiro.au/news/Biofuels-researchers-to-turn-waste-into-wealth.html.