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Eucalyptus biomass fuels: Price competitive or way off the money?

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  • van Bueren, Martin
  • Vincent, David P.

Abstract

This paper examines the costs and benefits of producing biomass fuels from mallee eucalypts grown in low rainfall areas of Western Australia. The fuels examined are ethanol and renewable electricity. As a means of examining the competitiveness of these energy sources with conventional fossil fuels, we estimate the price gap between ethanol and petrol and the cost of producing a unit of electricity by conventional means versus biomass electricity. Both comparisons are made on an energy equivalent basis. The potential for future advances in processing technology is built into the analysis. We find that ethanol is not price competitive with petrol, even after considering environmental benefits associated with biomass fuels. This finding raises questions about the wisdom of pursuing a biofuels target, a recent policy of the Commonwealth government. The picture for biomass electricity is brighter. When carbon sequestration benefits are taken into account, the cost of biomass electricity is on a par with conventional power.

Suggested Citation

  • van Bueren, Martin & Vincent, David P., 2003. "Eucalyptus biomass fuels: Price competitive or way off the money?," 2003 Conference (47th), February 12-14, 2003, Fremantle, Australia 58268, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aare03:58268
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.58268
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuwahata, Rena & Monroy, Carlos Rodríguez, 2011. "Market stimulation of renewable-based power generation in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 534-543, January.
    2. Masum, Md Farhad Hossain & Dwivedi, Puneet & De La Torre, Rafael, 2021. "Assessing economic and environmental feasibility of wood-based electricity generation in South America: A case study from Colombia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).

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