National / Global network of excellence

Dirty to Mighty is a response to two major issues Australia faces in relation to energy and sustainability.

1. Australia’s declining oil production with merely 3.9 billion barrels of proved oil reserves (0.2% of the world) coupled with the increasing oil consumption, exceeding 1 million bpd of oil in 2011, pose a threat to the country’s energy security. At this rate, self-sufficiency in oil is predicted to drop from the current 50% to 20% by 2020.

2. The world coal consumption continues to rise, especially in Australia´s prime export countries such as China and India. (2.8 and 0.6 billion short tons in 2010 respectively.)

How can Latrobe City act as the key catalyst in providing a solution to such critical and urgent problems?

Currently, the power stations in Latrobe Valley together emit around 65 Mt of carbon dioxide each year. The stations, however; cannot simply be terminated as they generate 90% of Victoria´s electricity and employ 3100 people. In addition, the area is gifted with 65 billion tonnes of brown coal with an estimated 33 billion tonnes to be “potentially economic”.

Dirty to Mighty proposes to use brown coal to produce not only electricity but also liquid fuel as well as many other high value products, while utilizing the CO2 released during the conversion process into additional products including oil, creating a highly viable yet sustainable means of achieving energy security and economic diversification. Brown coal becomes the essential element leading to a completely new vision of Latrobe Valley, which utilizes its abundant natural resources without compromising environmental impacts. Along the axis of the provided site, the project introduces a technological corridor of research/innovation facilities focused on the liquefaction and gasification of brown coal as well as the sequestration and conversion of carbon dioxide.

Innovations in the clean coal technology will greatly benefit not only Latrobe city but also countries around the world. Because of the high demand on coal and estimated increase in demand in the future, especially in the prime export markets of China and India, clean coal technology will have an enormous reduction on the future emission quantity at a worldwide scale. The research facilities are connected on a regional, national, and global level with other industries and universities that share similar aspiration for sustainability, establishing a network of excellence. As TAFE and Go8 take the central role in developing relevant skills and knowledge, industries take an active role in the process, supporting research and stimulating employment.

Dirty to Mighty; Brown is the New Green

0-0.25 JapanChinaKoreaIndiaTaiwan

Prime coal export countries115.3 mt42.4 mt40.7 mt31.93 mt26.53 mt

tonnes oil equivalent

0.25-0.5

Brown CoalSedimentary basins with:

Black CoalSedimentary basins with:

Coal minesCoal ports

0.5-1.0

1.0-1.5

> 1.5

World coal consumption per capita

Coal mined every yearAmount of CO2 emitted

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Northern Territory

Western Australia

Collinsville

Abbot Point

Port Kembla

Newcastle

Dudgeon Point

Balaclava Point

Wiggin Island

BrisbaneNewlands

Hail Creek

Burton

Goonyella/Riverside

Broadmeadows

Coppabella

Moorvale

Peak downs

Saraji

Lake Vermont

Blair Athol

Norwich Park

Capcoal

Jellinbah

Curragh

Callide

Blackwater

Dawson

Leigh Creek

Sydney

Melbourne

Perth

Ulan

Bengalla

Drayton

Mount Arthur Coal

Moranbah North

Beltana

Bulga Coal

Wesfarmers Premier Coal

Yallourn

Hazelwood

Loy Yang

Anglesea

<1 bt

1 - 10 bt

10 - 100 bt

>100 bt

<100 mt

100 mt - 1 bt

1 - 10 bt

>10 bt

1

23

4

56

7

8

The University of New South Wales

The University of Queensland

The University of Sydney

The Australian National University

Monash University

The University of Melbourne

The University of Adelaide

The University of Western Australia

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

81965

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Australia - Oil Consumption and Production

Consumption

1000 bpd

Production

80602_1

80602_2

Glengarry

Traralgon South

Princess Freeway

Gippsline

to Sale

Hyland Highway

to Yarram

Strzelecki Highwayto Leongatha

to Melbourne

Yinnar

Boolarra

TyersYallourn North

Toongabbie

13,9424,483 HA3.11 PPH

Population:Land area:

Density:

Morwell

MoePopulation:Land area:

Density:

9,3193,082 HA3.02 PPH

AgriculturalParklandResidentialOther

Latrobe CityPopulation:Land area:

Density:

72.40212,481 HA0.51 PPH

TraralgonPopulation:Land area:

Density:

25,5979,108 HA2.81 PPH

Loy Yang ACapacity:

Power:Carbon intensity:

Carbon emission:

2210 MW16.7 TWh/yr1.21 tCO

2/MWh

20.2 Mt CO2

Loy Yang BCapacity:

Power:Carbon intensity:

Carbon emission:

1000 MW8.6 TWh/yr1.24 tCO

2/MWh

10.6 Mt CO2

Hazelwood power stationCapacity:

Power:Carbon intensity:

Carbon emission:

1480 MW11.7 TWh/yr1.42 tCO

2/MWh

16.6 Mt CO2

Hazelwood power stationCapacity:

Power:Carbon intensity:

Carbon emission:

1600 MW12.1 TWh/yr1.53 tCO

2/MWh

18.4 Mt CO2

Churchill4,9392,118 HA2.33 PPH

Population:Land area:

Density: 1

2

2

3

3

1

Popu

latio

n: 7

3,56

4La

nd A

rea:

142

,481

hect

ares

(1

,425

km2)

The construction of the PRT line commences

Rehabilitation of Yallourn Mine and Hazelwood Mine commences

The plantation of a buffer forest around Hazelwood Mine commences

The construction of IGCC power station commences

Densification of Morwell commences

IGCC power station completes and Hazelwood power station is discontinued

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 and beyondThe PRT line completes. Construction of adjacent research facilities commences

Renovation of Hazelwood power station commences

Research facilities complete

Interventions around stations commence

Hazelwood renovation completes

Morwell city centre densification completes

Interventions take shape

The PRT line is extended to connect all townships in Latrobe City

1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year1 yearExisting 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year

WETLAND STATION

Pond

contaminants and sediment filtered

slow release of stored water to a stream

biomass accumulation

water stored

wildlife habitat

4.7 km-Morwell7 min52 Hectares

At this station, the wetlands provide multiple benefits to the overall system. Firstly, the restoration of wetlands help to prevent carbon emission from degradation. Secondly, the wetlands filter and purify any run off and waste water. Thirdly, the wetland is a source of biomass, a renewable resource, for the power plant. Last but not least, the wetlands are a home to one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems.

supply

receive

HAZELWOOD MUSEUM STATION

Public gardenPublic platform

Coal museumPreservedPilot plant APilot plant B

1

122

3

3

4

4

4 km-Morwell6 min29 Hectares

At this station, the Hazelwood power plant is discontinued to house a coal museum / pilot plants. The museum helps to inform the public about the true clean potential of coal while the pilot plants demonstrate to potential investors new technologies. The public platform in front of the building is used for public fairs, concerts, or screenings.

supply

receive

CO2

Sulphur

Construction Material (Slag)

Methanation

Gasifier

Syngas SNG Electricity

Town/stations

Electricity

SNG

Carbon capture and sequestration

Market

Market

Excess Heat

Particulate ScrubberOxygen

Recycled WaterCoal

Gas Turbine

Steam Turbine

Fische Tropsch Liquids ultra clean diesel / petrolwaxesLPG

Methanol

SY

NG

AS

fuel cellspropyleneacetic acidacrylic acidethylene

Ammonia fertiliserspower/fuel

carbon fibreactivated carboncarbon semiconductors

building productalgae fuels and feeds

Hydrogen

Carbon

By-product

IGCC STATION

Coal mineBuffer forestIGCC power station

2.7 km-Morwell4 min3.3 Hectares

At this station, the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power station with Carbon Capture Storage gasifies coal into synthetic gas to produce electricity much more cleanly than traditional coal powered stations. Most of the CO2 is captured and sequestrated. Equally important is the range of clean products that can be produced from the syngas, such as ultra clean diesel.

supply

receive

CO2CARBON FARM

STATION

Animal farm

Vegetable farm

CO2 Injection point

Biogas Collection

CO2 pipe

CO2

Injection point methane from manure

Biogas

carbon credit

9.1 km-Morwell

13 min

98 Hectares

At this station, traditional farming is augmented financially and environmentally by carbon farming. CO2 from IGCC is sequestrated at appropriate points, deep into the ground. Manure from the animals is collected in a pond with an impermeable cover to collect biogas and prevent the release of methane into the atmosphere. In both cases, farmers are able to obtain carbon credits and sell them to industries.

supply

receive

CO2

Depleted oil and gas reservoirsCO2 in enhanced oil recoveryDeep unused saline water-saturated reservoir rocksDeep unmineable coal seamsCO2 in enhanced coal bed methane recovery

ALGAE FARM

STATION

biofuelsunlight

nutrients

photosynthesis

CO2 pipe

Closed loop

Open pond

CO2

6.2 km-Morwell9 min105 Hectares

At this station, algae farms receive CO2 from IGCC to produce biofuel. In the meantime, run off / waste water is treated. Different forms of algae farms, such as closed loop and open pond, are tested and developed to find the optimal condition that leads to the most economically viable option.

supply

receive

CO2

Hazelwood Museum / Pilot PlantsAlgae FarmCarbon Farming Restored Wetlands IGCC Power Plant Rehabilitated mine: grassland Densified Morwell Town Center Agroforestry Rehabilitated mine: lake

CO2 CO2 CO2CO2 CO2

carbon to oil

underground coal gasification

biomass; integrated harvest and conversion

water filtration

fish and wildlife restoration

waste water treatment

beef, poultry, chicken, dairy, vegetable, fruit

tourism as economic catalyst

waster water / run off

electricity from syngas delivered to all stations

liquification; ultra clean diesel

fertilizerfertilizer fertilizer

product upgrade for export

collection and organization of data

fertilizer, construction material, algae fuel, carbon fibre, methanol

biomass for biofuel

ecological restoration

water storage / flood mitigation

soil carbon sequestration

regenerative agriculture

agricultural carbon sequestration; carbon credit

biogas from methane

R&D; carbon sequestration

R&D; algae oil production

R&D; carbon capture

R&D; carbon sequestration

R&D; mine rehabilitation

R&D; clean coal technologies

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

algae fuel

Carbon Dioxide

Electricity

Food

R&D

Coal products

Biomass

Oil/Gas

Water

Tourism

Waste water

Ecosystem

CO2

The technological corridor is self-sustained through a network of interdependent nodes, which constantly exchange resources and information. In the system, universities, R&D institutions, industries, and governments collaborate to foster a vibrant innovative ecosystem.

The stations are strategically placed to either augment the already existing condition or bring out the full potential of the site in a way that beneficially contributes to the system. The stations are accompanied by labs, each of which specializes in researching certain technologies that are suited to the unique environment of the vicinity. Specialized resources and information collected through fieldwork and research are shared amongst the facilities.

80602_3

6.058m

2,200kg

2.438m

2.591m

ElectricityWaterGasCO2

Pedestrian Path RoadPRT

existing condition

20km x 1.5km3000HA

PRT line / stations

areas of intervention and regionally specialized research facilities

neighbourhood connection and creation

resource / information sharing network

Rehabilitated Mine: Lake

Agroforestry

Morwell Station

Rehabilitated Mine: Grassland

IGCC Power Plant

Musuem / Pilot Plant

Wetland

Algae Farm

Hazelwood Pond

Hazelwood Mine

Princess Freeway

Yallourn Mine

Old Melbourne Rd

Gippsland Logistics Precinct

Churchill

Monash Way

Switchback Rd.

Monash University

Carbon Farming

MORWELL STATION

2.7 km-Morwell4 min48 Hectares

At this station, the city core of Morwell is densified to reverse the sprawl towards north east. In the five minute walking radius of the Morwell station, buildings are raised up to three storeys high. The first floor is dedicated to commercial use creating a lively and vibrant neighborhood throughout the day. The second and third floors are for any combination of residence, lab, light industry, and office. The town center acts as the central hub of R&D, human capital, and transportation.

supply

receive

existing condition densification Commercial

existing condition densification

Residential

Light industrial

Office

Lab

Underground parking

Bus terminal

Train station

Public space

PRT station

MINE TO GRASSLAND

STATION

mustard plant alpine pennycress hemp

Coal mineBuffer forestIGCC power station

1.45 km-Morwell2 min61 Hectares

Use: Recreational, Ecological Regeneration

Phytoremediation

At this station, a part of the coal mine is rehabilitated to be a grassland. In a process called phytoremediation, after layers of clay and soil, plants are planted to treat the contaminated soil. People from all the townships are invited to volunteer in a community program to help in the restoration process.

supply

receive

CO2

MorwellMoeTraralgon

AGRO FORESTRY

STATION

Existing forestryCO

2 pipe

CO2 injection site

Agroforestry

3.8 km-Morwell6 min230 Hectares

At this station, the existing agroforestry business is enhanced by implementing a more diverse method and carbon farming. Instead of planting solely trees, animals and plants of various kinds co-exist in the same area and benefit from each other, multiplying the efficiency and productivity. In one unified area, it is able to produce trees for lumber, biological material for biomass and animals for food.

supply

receive

CO2MINE TO

LAKE STATION

LakeWetland

stationPRT line

wetlandsstroll / bike path

6.1 km-Morwell9 min423 Hectares

At this station, the mine is rehabilitated and filled with ground water to form a lake with adjacent wetlands and parks. The adverse impacts of mining on the neighbouring environment and communi-ties is reversed, providing the residents of Latrobe, tourists, and the ecosystem alike a pleasant area to dwell.

supply

receive

WETLAND STATION

Pond

contaminants and sediment filtered

slow release of stored water to a stream

biomass accumulation

water stored

wildlife habitat

4.7 km-Morwell7 min52 Hectares

At this station, the wetlands provide multiple benefits to the overall system. Firstly, the restoration of wetlands help to prevent carbon emission from degradation. Secondly, the wetlands filter and purify any run off and waste water. Thirdly, the wetland is a source of biomass, a renewable resource, for the power plant. Last but not least, the wetlands are a home to one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems.

supply

receive

HAZELWOOD MUSEUM STATION

Public gardenPublic platform

Coal museumPreservedPilot plant APilot plant B

1

122

3

3

4

4

4 km-Morwell6 min29 Hectares

At this station, the Hazelwood power plant is discontinued to house a coal museum / pilot plants. The museum helps to inform the public about the true clean potential of coal while the pilot plants demonstrate to potential investors new technologies. The public platform in front of the building is used for public fairs, concerts, or screenings.

supply

receive

CO2

Sulphur

Construction Material (Slag)

Methanation

Gasifier

Syngas SNG Electricity

Town/stations

Electricity

SNG

Carbon capture and sequestration

Market

Market

Excess Heat

Particulate ScrubberOxygen

Recycled WaterCoal

Gas Turbine

Steam Turbine

Fische Tropsch Liquids ultra clean diesel / petrolwaxesLPG

Methanol

SY

NG

AS

fuel cellspropyleneacetic acidacrylic acidethylene

Ammonia fertiliserspower/fuel

carbon fibreactivated carboncarbon semiconductors

building productalgae fuels and feeds

Hydrogen

Carbon

By-product

IGCC STATION

Coal mineBuffer forestIGCC power station

2.7 km-Morwell4 min3.3 Hectares

At this station, the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power station with Carbon Capture Storage gasifies coal into synthetic gas to produce electricity much more cleanly than traditional coal powered stations. Most of the CO2 is captured and sequestrated. Equally important is the range of clean products that can be produced from the syngas, such as ultra clean diesel.

supply

receive

CO2CARBON FARM

STATION

Animal farm

Vegetable farm

CO2 Injection point

Biogas Collection

CO2 pipe

CO2

Injection point methane from manure

Biogas

carbon credit

9.1 km-Morwell

13 min

98 Hectares

At this station, traditional farming is augmented financially and environmentally by carbon farming. CO2 from IGCC is sequestrated at appropriate points, deep into the ground. Manure from the animals is collected in a pond with an impermeable cover to collect biogas and prevent the release of methane into the atmosphere. In both cases, farmers are able to obtain carbon credits and sell them to industries.

supply

receive

CO2

Depleted oil and gas reservoirsCO2 in enhanced oil recoveryDeep unused saline water-saturated reservoir rocksDeep unmineable coal seamsCO2 in enhanced coal bed methane recovery

ALGAE FARM

STATION

biofuelsunlight

nutrients

photosynthesis

CO2 pipe

Closed loop

Open pond

CO2

6.2 km-Morwell9 min105 Hectares

At this station, algae farms receive CO2 from IGCC to produce biofuel. In the meantime, run off / waste water is treated. Different forms of algae farms, such as closed loop and open pond, are tested and developed to find the optimal condition that leads to the most economically viable option.

supply

receive

CO2

The series of facilities are connected by a personal rapid transit system which forms the infrastructural backbone of the network. Because of the elevated structure, it provides a direct and efficient means of travel from one node to another in addition to a scenic view of Latrobe’s eclectic landscape. The vehicles are highly efficient electric cars that take passengers directly to the desired destination with no congestion. PRT can diminish the reliance on cars in Latrobe City, which accounts for 70% of journeys, reducing the city’s emission of carbon.

Underneath and around the area of the station is enhanced by a public space which offers a gathering point for the local residents, researchers, and visitors. Shipping containers are used for a quick and flexible construction of shops, offices, and public amenities. A gallery space displays the ongoing research of the labs and keeps people up to date on recent findings. In this manner, the station becomes more than a mere infrastructural node, but forges a sense of unique community while establishing connectivity to the overall network. Rather than a technology park, Latrobe City is a technology community, strengthened by the innovative development rather than hindered by it.