EMRC, Woodside Energy to test technologies to convert GHGs into products

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) in Australia has been working collaboratively with Woodside Energy (Woodside) on a proposal that aims to transform greenhouse gases into useful products.

Together, the EMRC and Woodside are progressing a proposal to develop the Carbon to Ethanol Pilot Plant (Pilot Plant) on land owned by the EMRC at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility (RHWMF). The proposed Pilot Plant is a demonstration-scale facility that aims to test technologies that can convert greenhouse gases into useful products.

The EMRC has identified circular economy leadership and reducing carbon impacts as key goals in our Sustainability Strategy.

The proposed Pilot Plant would align with these goals, as it aims to collect a portion of the methane and carbon dioxide produced at the RHWMF, and convert them into an ethanol product, which could then be used as a fuel for mobile plant equipment on the RHWMF or transported off site for use elsewhere.

In progressing the proposed Pilot Plant, the EMRC and Woodside have taken an open and transparent approach to communication and feedback and have worked to engage stakeholders early in the project-cycle. By engaging stakeholders early, the EMRC and Woodside have been able to incorporate feedback received into the design of the facility.

For instance, the EMRC and Woodside received comments from community members about the proximity of the Pilot Plant to residential properties. Acting on this feedback, the EMRC and Woodside have identified a new location within the RHWMF that is further away from residences. The EMRC and Woodside also received comments from community members about the potential for lighting from the facility to impact visual amenity. The EMRC and Woodside are now looking at possible ways to reduce lighting use while also ensuring the health and safety of staff.

The Carbon to Ethanol Pilot Plant remains subject to government and internal approvals. Together, the EMRC and Woodside will continue to consult with stakeholders across all phases of the project. The next set of community information sessions have been planned for 2-6:30 pm 9 August 2023 and 9 am-1:30 pm 16 August at the RHWMF’s Waste Education Centre.