Biochar’s role in protected cropping

On this episode we discuss biochar’s role in protected cropping; growing plants in controlled environments. We discuss the various components of the pyrolysis and gasification process, their applications and the economics including the keys to open carbon markets.  Our guest is Peter Burgess, Managing Director of Rainbow Bee Eater and ANZBIG's Vice Chair. Peter envisions the major roles for bioenergy and biochar. He has over thirty years of operational and commercial experience in industrial mining as an engineer, manager and leader. Rainbow Bee Eater’s mission is to be a world-leading carbon sequestration and renewable energy business. ECHO2, the first commercial process that they have developed, produces low cost, hydrogen-rich Syngas and high-quality Biochar from organic residues such as agricultural crop and timber wastes that would otherwise be burned or land-filled. The first commercial demonstration module was commissioned at Holla Fresh, a hydroponics herb grower in Mt Gambier, South Australia in 2019.   Microsoft, Shopify and other entities seeking to become carbon neutral, purchased ECHO2 carbon removal certificates (CORCs) via Puro.earth exchange in 2020. The next ECHO2 module projects are being planned in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.