Overview

Biomass is the only renewable that can be used directly to generate green base-load electricity and to produce liquid fuels, chemicals, solid fuels, reductants and biocarbon materials. Biomass is also the only renewable that can achieve negative emission by returning biochar into the soil. The net result is the safe and permanent sequestration of atmospheric CO2 into the soil. The biochar will also greatly improve the soil productivity, thereby ensuring the sustainability of our agriculture and forestry. A modern bioenergy industry will therefore establish a negative-emission bio-based circular economy where the sequestration of atmospheric CO2 is achieved simultaneously with the enhanced production of food, fibre, wood and other natural products as well as the production of green energy, liquid fuels, solid fuels and biocarbon materials. The presentation will give an overview of recent advances in the fundamental research and technology development in the area of Bioenergy Science and Engineering in Curtin University in partnership with Renergi Pty Ltd.

Refreshments and catering will be provided.

Time

17:00—19:00 AWST

Speaker

Professor Chun-Zhu Li

Professor Chun-Zhu Li obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London in 1993. After postdoctoral experience, he joined Monash University in 1996 where he served as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor. Professor Li moved to Curtin University in January 2009 to be the Founding Director of Fuels and Energy Technology Institute (initially known as Curtin Centre for Advanced Energy Science and Engineering).

Professor Li has co-authored more than 350 papers in journals and conference proceedings. He is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor. He is one of the Most Cited Researchers in Energy Science and Engineering. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Fuel Processing Technology. He is the Australian Director of the Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Energy and the Australia-India Joint Research Centre for Coal and Energy Technology. The research work he led in the area of Bioenergy Science and Engineering has resulted in the formation of a spin-off company Renergi Pty Ltd.