Waste biomass type guidance

An accredited AWT facility may use wood biomass as an eligible renewable energy source if the wood biomass meets the prescribed requirements for waste biomass type.

An accredited AWT facility may generate electricity or produce biobased products from these eligible renewable energy sources once their use has been approved by the Technical Governance Committee.

AWT facility operators are required to obtain information, maintain records, and report on the source and supply of wood biomass used by the AWT facility to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Biomass Energy (Biochar Production Systems) Standard 2025 or applicable methods.

The Technical Governance Committee provides assessment sheets to assist nominated persons in applying the requirements relevant to waste biomass types prescribed by the Biomass Energy (Biochar Production Systems) Rule 2025 (the BPS Rule). These assessment sheets can be used to demonstrate the eligibility of waste biomass types in support of an application for AWT facility accreditation.

Waste biomass types

The following waste biomass types can be processed into biochar:

■ energy crops (see section 10 of the BPS Rule)

■ wood waste (see section 9 of the BPS Rule)

■ wood

■ branches

■ logs

■ wheat straw

■ maize stover

■ nut shells and pits

■ bagasse

Energy crops

Biomass from plantations is eligible as a raw material source, if it meets requirements prescribed under section 10 of the BPS Rule.

Wood waste

Wood waste is eligible as a raw material source if it meets requirements prescribed under section 9 of the BPS Rule. 

The assessment sheet covers the 4 categories of wood waste:

■ non-native environmental weeds harvested for control or eradication

■ manufactured wood product or by-product from a manufacturing process

■ waste products from the construction of buildings or furniture

■ sawmill residue.

About these assessment sheets

These assessment sheets must be completed and uploaded in the System Registry to maintain eligible AWT facility accreditation.

If your circumstances are not covered by an assessment sheet, you may seek assistance by contacting the Technical Governance Committee through Online Messages.

Nominated persons must maintain records relevant to the waste biomass type for the production of biochar for a period of five years.

Suppliers of waste biomass type to accredited AWT facility

Suppliers of waste biomass type are not required to register in the scheme but should provide the AWT facility operator with specified information or documents upon request.