The Biochar Podcast

Philip Link and Michael Hallam from EnergyLink Services discuss the key changes to the Puro.earth biochar carbon removal methodology, the implications and opportunities of these changes, market dynamics, the role of verification and how they see the market evolving on the supply and demand side.

To find out how your project can be Puro.earth verified reach out to Philip at EnergyLink Services.

Contact Details: E: [email protected], W: https://www.energylinkservices.com.au

On today's episode we discuss the testing requirements for biochar to meet ANZBIG’s Code of Practice for the new sustainable production and use of biochar in Australia and New Zealand. To help us discuss the topic we have Graham Lancaster, Senior Manager - Commercial & Research Operations, at Environmental Analysis Laboratory / Analytical Research Laboratory at Southern Cross University. 

Graham shares:

On today's episode we will be discussing a scientific paper just out entitled How biochar works and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar

We discuss: 

Our guest today is Annette Cowie from NSW DPI & Univ New England. Annette has a background in soil science and plant nutrition, with particular interest in sustainable resource management. She contributes to development of climate change policy and GHG mitigation in the agriculture sector, including GHG accounting for emissions trading at state, national and international levels. Annette was a lead author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land, and is a lead author in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.

In this episode we discuss the role of Life Cycle Assessments for biochar projects and the role they will play in technology roll out and scaling. We will discuss the various components of the Life Cycle Assessment including the keys to open carbon markets. 

Philip Link, Managing Director of Energy Link Services joins us as our guest to discuss the topic. Philip has 15 years experience in management consulting, advisory and assurance across a number of vastly diverse interests within clean tech: from carbon management, energy efficiency, renewable energy and biofuels, sustainability and climate disclosure and economic and cost benefit analysis. 

EnergyLink Services is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm and project developer with specialist expertise in renewable energy, energy  efficiency and emissions. They are passionate about helping their clients reduce their energy consumption and to undergo energy efficiency upgrades and are the only puro.earth authorised auditor in Australia.

In this episode we discuss biochar’s role in renewable diesel production, the components of the pyrolysis and gasification process, its applications, the economics (including: job opportunities, a circular economy) and the keys to open carbon markets. 

Our guest is Jennifer Lauber Patterson, Managing Director of Frontier Impact Group. Jennifer is a pioneer in climate solutions with 30+ years experience in banking and energy companies, environmental markets (particularly carbon markets) and sustainable solutions. She pioneered one of the first green electricity deals 25 years ago, and started the first carbon markets business at ANZ bank in the early 2000’s. A key passion for Jennifer is to demonstrate how bioenergy can support the regeneration of the Australian landscape and present farmers with opportunity to diversify their income streams and develop a circular economy.

Recently Frontier Impact Group established a joint venture with Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd, to produce the first commercial-scale renewable diesel bio-refinery in Western Australia. A process to utilise waste biomass and produce renewable diesel, high-quality biochar and wood vinegar using a sustainable process that is carbon negative.

On this episode we discuss biochar’s role in protected cropping; growing plants in controlled environments. We discuss the various components of the pyrolysis and gasification process, their applications and the economics including the keys to open carbon markets. 

Our guest is Peter Burgess, Managing Director of Rainbow Bee Eater and ANZBIG's Vice Chair. Peter envisions the major roles for bioenergy and biochar. He has over thirty years of operational and commercial experience in industrial mining as an engineer, manager and leader.

Rainbow Bee Eater’s mission is to be a world-leading carbon sequestration and renewable energy business. ECHO2, the first commercial process that they have developed, produces low cost, hydrogen-rich Syngas and high-quality Biochar from organic residues such as agricultural crop and timber wastes that would otherwise be burned or land-filled.

The first commercial demonstration module was commissioned at Holla Fresh, a hydroponics herb grower in Mt Gambier, South Australia in 2019.  

ANZBIG's code of practice is currently in development. In this episode, we will look at the objectives of the code, common definitions used in the industry, feedstocks that can be used, best practices for production, handling and packing, the different grades under the code, and their uses as well as achieving ANZBIG certification. 

Our guest is Nigel Murphy, ANZBIG's Chair and Founder and Director Earth Systems and Cyclic Carbon. Nigel's companies have been actively innovating and commercialising technology in the Cleantech sector over the last 25 years including biochar. His biochar experience covers product development, IP protection, capital raising, commercialisation, and market development. With degrees in environmental and earth sciences and experience in working in Australia, China, S.E. Asia, Africa and the Pacific, he has provided technical advice to companies, government, financial institutions and the aid sector in environmental science, cleantech and environmental management. 

Nigel is an Honorary Life Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and was the foundation Chair of the Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme for Australia and New Zealand (CEnvP). He is also the current Chair of the Victorian Cleantech Cluster.

Many people new to biochar are surprised to hear that it can not only be used in agriculture but can also be used in Infrastructure. In fact, Biochar can be used in a variety of industrial applications, including roads, concrete, and asphalt to name a few. On today's show, we welcome Foundational Member of ANZBIG, Founder and Director of NewWorld Pavement Solutions and CarbonCor Products Australia, Andre Van Zyl.  

Andre is a Chemical Engineer who has specialized knowledge and skills in road surfacing technology, especially in the development, manufacture, and installation of environmentally friendly emulsified cold road-premix material, for both new urban and remote infrastructure development areas. He has been instrumental in the further development and re-design of a new and revolutionary Carboncor product range of road and construction materials which are now available and being rolled out internationally. Andre now resides in Perth, Western Australia. 

Our first podcast series, 'Biochar in the Drawdown Decade,' is part of the lead-up to our annual conference this October 2021. Visit our website www.anzbig.org to find out more about our conference or to become a member.