About GCE’s First Project
GCE is developing a benchmark Circular Economy Precinct called the Gwydir Circular Economy Precinct, hereinafter referred to as the Precinct.
The Precinct is based on four core and enabling systems:
1. A modern, world’s-best-practice, industrial-scale biogas plant.
2. A multi-fuel, multi-functional ‘Energy Centre’ generating and producing multiple forms of future-proof renewable energies for multiple purposes.
3. A multi-grain, multi-alcohol alcohol plant.
4. A commercial organic glasshouse.
The renewable energies to be generated and produced by the multi-fuel, multi-functional Energy Centre include:
Electricity.
All forms of process energies in support of all processing and manufacturing.
Fuel for land transport.
Each of the four core and enabling systems are based on proven, mature, off-the-shelf technologies, systems, and knowhow underpinning the deliverability of the Precinct. What makes the Precinct globally unique and exceptionally efficient are the strategic interconnections and interdependencies created through the specific co-location of these systems. These interconnections and interdependencies align with the three pillars of the circular economy:
1. Optimised Material Flow Management.
2. Local Value Adding.
3. Local Renewable Energy.
GCE has entered into Heads-of-Agreement with all its key international technology partners further strengthening the deliverability of the Precinct.
GCE has also entered into a Heads-of-Agreement with Sydney Solvents in support of the offtake of the alcohol destined for the specialist solvents and related markets. The expansive and multi-faceted relationship between GCE and the organic glasshouse operator, Green Camel, is also captured in a Heads-of-Agreement.
GCE is proactively seeking other likeminded businesses to become part of the Precinct with a particular focus on synergistic bioenergy systems and food, feed, and fibre processors.
GCE will provide these food, feed, and fibre processors with all the energy they require, in any form that energy is required, whilst concurrently accepting their organic wastes and residues to be directed to the biogas plant.
The Precinct is to be located on a 70ha site two kilometres north of the town of Warialda and the land is being provided by the Local Government Authority, Gwydir Shire Council (GSC).