Optimal Group and BOC have revealed plans to build what they say is Australia’s first bio-LNG plant.
In that regard, the two firms have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore the development of the bio-LNG facility at BOC’s micro-LNG plant in Westbury, Tasmania, according to a BOC statement. BOC is a unit of industrial gas giant Linde.
The companies will investigate the potential for Optimal’s subsidiary, Optimal Renewable Gas to build a A$55 million, 2.4 TJ/day waste to biogas plant adjacent to this facility.
Currently, BOC and its subsidiary Elgas supply LNG to industrial customers in Tasmania.
The biogas plant would provide biomethane to BOC’s micro-LNG plant, which the firm would process into bio-LNG and distribute it to its and Elgas customers in agriculture, food processing and other industries, the statement said.
Optimal Group has a “strong track record” delivering biogas projects across Australia with a pipeline of additional projects underway in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the statement said.
BOC added bio-LNG “provides an opportunity for industrial and commercial customers to achieve net-zero emissions, while retaining existing plant and equipment.”