Trial fuels ethanol dream

By Clementine Norton THE ethanol dream is not over for Childers alternative energy company AgriFuels recently planted a second trial crop of sweet sorghum, which could yield up to a third more ethanol than sugar cane. AgriFuels director Brendan Ellert said the crop was one of three in the feasibility trial which will be carried out over the next 18 months. "The first crop has been harvested, but unfortunately it was during the huge storms in the area, and we have worst-case scenario results rather than best-case results," Mr Ellert said. "However, there are still two trials to go, so we hope for a better result on those." Sweet sorghum can be grown in rotation with sugar cane crops in the Childers region and uses the same processing facilities, so the proposed ethanol plant would have the capability to process sugar cane as well as the grain. "Childers was chosen because it has an ideal climate, is close to existing sugar cane facilities and existing infrastructure, and close to the under-utilised port of Bundaberg," he said.

"It is also close to Brisbane, which is the biggest market for ethanol in Queensland." Mr Ellert said AgriFuel's business plan will not be affected by government decisions about funding the ethanol subsidy plan. "We haven't based our business plan on receiving government assistance," he said. "When our feasibility study is complete, it is something we may look at." Bundaberg Regional deputy mayor Tony Ricciardi said, while it was still early days, the plant would be a big benefit to the region. "It would certainly relieve pressure on the agricultural community," he said. The trial is one of several innovative projects in Isis, including a recently completed kenaf processing factory, a cane mulch plant and a low-chill stone fruit project.