With thousands of footpath trees planted under powerlines and in unusual locations, the potential of harvesting an introduced tree species for fuel is good news.
The Lord Mayor's commercial Gold Coast based web site claims Pongamia, an introduced species could be used to fuel CityCats or Council buses.
Up to 90kg of seeds with 40% oil content could be harvested for production of c18:1, a biodiesel product. Council owns 20,000 Pongamia trees in Brisbane but would need many more thousands to fuel its fleet.
University of Queensland will investigate how to create a better fuel supply through identifying trees of the right age and genetics.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's program for Brisbane to be the most sustainable city in Australia includes planting 2 million trees, purchasing bushland to save 40 per cent of the city from development, and encouraging solar hot water and green power.
Council was approached by the UQ to assist with their study the potential of Pongamia oil, a non-food crop unlike other biofuel sources, such as sugar, rapeseed, palm or canola oil.
Pongamia is a hardy and drought-resistant tree that can grow on malnourished soils with low levels of nitrogen that cannot sustain food crops. One hectare of trees could produce up to 10,000 litres of biodiesel a year.
Trees in the experiment are on Broadwater Road and East Street, Camp Hill.
The Lord Mayor's commercial Gold Coast based web site claims Pongamia, an introduced species could be used to fuel CityCats or Council buses.
Up to 90kg of seeds with 40% oil content could be harvested for production of c18:1, a biodiesel product. Council owns 20,000 Pongamia trees in Brisbane but would need many more thousands to fuel its fleet.
University of Queensland will investigate how to create a better fuel supply through identifying trees of the right age and genetics.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's program for Brisbane to be the most sustainable city in Australia includes planting 2 million trees, purchasing bushland to save 40 per cent of the city from development, and encouraging solar hot water and green power.
Council was approached by the UQ to assist with their study the potential of Pongamia oil, a non-food crop unlike other biofuel sources, such as sugar, rapeseed, palm or canola oil.
Pongamia is a hardy and drought-resistant tree that can grow on malnourished soils with low levels of nitrogen that cannot sustain food crops. One hectare of trees could produce up to 10,000 litres of biodiesel a year.
Trees in the experiment are on Broadwater Road and East Street, Camp Hill.
Other introduced weeds such as camphor laurel and jacaranda should be investigated how they could be used to balance their harmful impact. My mate Mick tells me hydrogen is the energy source that needs to be developed. There has to be a more efficient fuel source staring us in the face without the unintended consequences of factories producing fuel from an introduced species.
Original story from the Lord Mayor's excellent personal commercial Gold Coast web site ... http://www.campbellnewman.com.au/article-view.html?articleId=6129
Original story from the Lord Mayor's excellent personal commercial Gold Coast web site ... http://www.campbellnewman.com.au/article-view.html?articleId=6129
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