| Anaerobic digestion is extremely flexible and compatible with many technologies aiming to generate value from organic wastes. The Wastes to Profits project is developing technologies for improved management of organic wastes with a key focus on advanced anaerobic digestion as a platform for technology integration and value-chain innovation.
Advanced anaerobic digestion is a way to improve the economics by enhancing biogas production during anaerobic digestion while reducing the size and cost of anaerobic digestion infrastructure. Strategies for advanced anaerobic digestion include pre-treatment of waste, co-digestion of multiple waste streams, manipulation of reactor conditions and process additives.
We are eager to share our findings, provide opportunities for the Livestock Industries to connect and learn from each other. We have been planning an event Anaerobic Digestion Opportunities for Livestock Industries to be held in October or early November 2021. The event will include sessions on:
- Anaerobic Digestion Implementation & Lessons Learnt
- Opportunities for Co-Digestion
- Advancements in Anaerobic Digestion
- Improving commercial feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion projects
The event will be open to people interested in attending, and not restricted to just Wastes to Profits partners. If you are interested in being involved in the event please reach out or sign up here to receive updates.
In this newsletter there are three videos from the 2021 workshop that provide a snap shot of the advances being made in the Wastes to Profits project on reducing water content in organic sludges, microalgae treatment of wastewater and value of organic fertiliser products. We encourage you to watch the videos and stay in touch.
We also ask you to express your interest in attending future webinars or events run by the Wastes to Profits team in 2021. We welcome your interest, involvement and feedback. Please make sure to visit the website, sign up to the newsletter and encourage your colleagues to do the same. If you need more information or want to become actively involved in the project, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
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Research spotlight
In this section we have videos from the Wastes to Profits team about their research. If there are specific topics that you would like to see from the team – please contact us.
NOTE: In these videos the Wastes to Profits researchers refer to Technology Readiness Level (TRL), as a project we are very focused on how we are moving the technologies along this scale from Research & Development TRL 1-6 through to pre-commercial Demonstration TRL 7-8. For more information please see Technology Readiness levels for renewable energy sectors, Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) 2014 here. |
Reducing Water Content
Associate Prof Jan Zhang from the Queensland University of Technology provides an update on the research teams progress towards the development of cost-effective dewatering processes and resulting products. Watch the video here. |
Microalgae Treatment of Wastewater
Associate Professor Navid Moheimani from Murdoch University provides an update on the research teams progress on bioprospecting, maximising and measuring growth of microalgal over a 13 month period on the partners site, and optimising harvesting processes.
Watch the video here. |
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Value of Organic Fertiliser Products
Dr Dio Antille from the University of Southern Queensland and CSIRO provides an update on the research teams progress towards understanding the fertiliser replacement value of the organic and organomineral fertilisers products. Watch the video here. |
Engagement and Extension
In this section we highlight specific news, publications, events, engagement and collaboration activities of the Wastes to Profits collaborative. If there are specific meetings, events or sites that you would like to see the team present or attend – please contact us. |
Biogas recovery by anaerobic digestion of Australian agro-industry waste: A review
The Wastes to Profits team at the University of Southern Queensland recently published a review paper in the Journal of Cleaner Production. This review considers the biogas potential of organic wastes from pork, diary on-farm, beef feedlots, milk and meat processing. Read it here. |
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New discoveries pave the way for an algal boom
Murdoch University released a news article featuring Wastes to Profits researcher Associate Professor Navid Moheimani. The article discusses the potential opportunities for algae products, highlighting the importance of sunlight and economic opportunities for Western Australia. Read about it here. |
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Clarifying biomethane and small-scale biogas options for Australian piggeries
Read the APL Research Report here by Dr Stephan Tait and Prof Bernadette McCabe from the University of Southern Queensland, which explores through a real case study biogas production at a medium sized piggery and three hypothetical scenarios for biogas use including estimated costs and payback periods. Factsheets are available here. |
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Turning dairy food waste into profit
The Wastes to Profits project features on page 41 of the Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Report 2020 that was released in May 2021. The Project has been working with Dairy Australia and dairy processors from around Australia to better characterise whey streams with a view to identifying enhanced treatment options and value-added product opportunities. Read it here.
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Other potential events of interest
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2021 Energy from Waste Conference
16 – 18 August 2021, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) invites you to “The role of EfW in delivering a net zero future”. The conference aims to bring industry experts to the table to uncover pathways that will lead us to a low-carbon future. Click here to learn more. |
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Co-located events – Waste Expo Australia, All-Energy Australia & Energy Efficiency Expo
27-28 October 2021, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Victoria
Waste Expo Australia is the country’s largest gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals, which brings together leading solution providers in the waste management, recycling, resource recovery and sustainability sectors.
All-Energy Australia is the country’s most anticipated event in the clean energy sector’s annual calendar. Held in partnership with the Clean Energy Council, this free-to-attend event provides delegates with exclusive access to the latest technology, information and trends relevant to those working or investing in the renewables sector.
Energy Efficiency Expo, Australia’s most comprehensive energy efficiency event. Free-to-attend conference and dedicated B2B exhibition, and discover practical solutions to reduce your organisation’s energy costs. |
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2021 APSA Conference
15-18 November 2021, Sofitel Brisbane, Queensland
The purpose of the Australasian Pig Science Association is to provide a forum for excellence in science related to all aspects of the pig industry. APSA was established in 1987 to bring together people from a range of disciplines with a primary interest in pig science.
Register here. |
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The Wastes to Profits Project Overview
The Wastes to Profits project aims to capture a potential market opportunity for the livestock sector in excess of AUD$100 million per year by converting wastes into valuable products.
The Wastes to Profits project brings together stakeholders from across Australia’s animal industries with technology, research and development providers. The project delivers advanced technologies to convert wastes from livestock production and municipal water treatment into fertilisers, feeds, chemicals, and energy products for use in agriculture. The overall aim of the project is to improve productivity and enhance profitability for primary producers.
The project focuses on the following 4 areas;
- Area 1: Assessing waste streams from the livestock sector, developing business models and pathways to adoption to promote commercial application of project outcomes;
- Area 2: Developing technologies for improved management of wastes with a key focus on anaerobic digestion as a platform for energy production from waste;
- Area 3: Developing technologies for the production of nutritionally-advanced feeds; and
- Area 4: Developing technologies for production of fertilisers, chemicals, plastics, and energy products.
We welcome your interest, involvement and feedback throughout this four year project from 2018 to 2021. Please make sure to visit the website, sign up to the newsletter and encourage your colleagues to do the same. If you need more information or want to become actively involved in the project, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
Chair, Wastes to Profits Steering Committee
Doug McNicholl
Program Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)
e: dmcnicholl@mla.com.au
p: 0439 275 794 |
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Chief Investigator, Wastes to Profits
Prof Ian O’Hara
Principal Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
e: i.ohara@qut.edu.au
p: (07) 3138 1551 |
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Project Manager, Wastes to Profits
Lisa van den Berg
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
e: lisa.vandenberg@qut.edu.au
p: (07) 3138 1415 |
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