Converting bananas to electricity

The University of Queensland’s Dr Bill Clarke, is assessing the potential of bananas as an alternative energy source for North Queensland.

A senior lecturer in the School of Engineering, Dr Clarke is a leading Australian expert in the conversion of solid organic matter to energy sources.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Association Inc. have contracted Dr Clarke via UniQuest, UQ’s main commercialisation company, to assess the potential of bananas as a methane source for energy production.

Dr Clarke said he has no doubt that bananas can be converted to methane for electricity generation.

“In North Queensland, bananas are abundantly available and could be a great source of renewable energy,” said Dr Clarke.

“However, we don’t know is if bananas are a cost-effective energy source, so my research parameters are designed to discover how long it will take to convert the bananas to methane and how much methane is produced.

“If all goes well, bananas could be used to run gas engines to produce electricity but it is unlikely there will be sufficient volumes for residential use.”

Dr Clarke’s research will involve the anaerobic digestion of 400 kg of bananas in his laboratory. He expects to have his results compiled by February 2005.

Industry research collaborations and contracts are an important funding source for UQ researchers, according to UniQuest Managing Director, David Henderson.

“UQ researchers like Dr Clarke rely heavily on industry, either directly or indirectly for research funding,” said Mr Henderson.

“Industry plays a very important role sustaining and fostering research in our academic institutions.”

For more information, contact Julia Renaud, phone (07) 3365 4037 or 0438 436 179 or email j.renaud@uniquest.com.au; or Dr Bill Clarke, phone (07) 336 56464, email billc@cheque.uq.edu.au