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The question of whether bioenergy is a viable option will be discussed at The University of Western Australia next week.

Dr Steven Schilizzi, senior lecturer in UWA's School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and David Bennett, of Natural Resource Management Consultants, will talk about the economics of bioenergy.

They will investigate the concept known as Energy Returned on Energy Invested: the ratio of usable energy acquired from a particular energy resource to the amount of energy expended to obtain that energy resource.

Competition for limited natural resources, freedom from pollution (including carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases) and affordability will also be considered.

Dr Schilizzi's expertise is in farming and aquaculture systems, energy analysis, bio-economic modelling, experimental economics, equity in economic analysis and policy assessment, and environmental management by business.

Dr Bennett is founder of the Sustainable Transport Coalition and has been a principle research scientist with the CSIRO for 20 years, the inaugural Wesfarmers Professor of Rural Management at Curtin University of Technology and technical consultant to the former minister for agriculture, Ernie Bridge.

WHAT: Discussion: Is Bioenergy A Viable Option?

WHEN: Tuesday August 11, at 4pm

WHERE: Molecular and Chemical Sciences Building, Room G35, UWA, Fairway
Entrance 4 (follow small road into centre of campus - it ends at the
MCSB)  Parking available in car park 14

Media references

Dr Steven Schilizzi (UWA School of Agriculture and Resource Economics)  (+61 8) 6488 2105
Dr David Bennett (NRMC) (+61 8) 9433 6518  /  (+61 4) 38 210 251
Kymette Peck (UWA Business Analyst, Energy and Minerals Initiative)  (+61 8) 6488 7183
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716