Modular learning and project reference scales

The official consultation question

Q22 · §4.1(b) · paper page 25

What economies of scale or learning effects are you anticipating over the next 5-10 years, and what levels of production would be required to realise these benefits?

Shelby’s response

Shelby expects improvements through repeatable modular installations, standardised engineering, coordinated procurement and stronger local maintenance capability. Verdemobil’s published approach to biogenic CO₂ recovery includes skid-mounted systems designed for straightforward integration and maintenance, providing a practical example of this model. These are provider-described features, rather than independently verified Australian cost savings.

Larger plants can spread fixed costs across more output, but longer collection distances and additional infrastructure can offset those savings. There is no universal production threshold: benefits depend on equipment capacity, reliable utilisation and local supply. Australia should support replication across smaller regional plants as well as scale within individual facilities, and measure savings as operating evidence develops. For initial policy analysis, Shelby suggests testing three reference cases aligned to practical program thresholds: 0.10 PJ/year (approximately 27.8 GWh/year), 0.15 PJ/year (approximately 41.7 GWh/year) and 0.20 PJ/year (approximately 55.6 GWh/year). These are modelling reference points rather than minimum efficient scales.

Frequently asked questions

What is Shelby’s position on modular learning and project reference scales?

Repeatable modular installations and local maintenance can support learning, while collection distances can offset scale benefits. Shelby proposes 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 PJ/year reference cases for modelling, not minimum efficient plant scales.

What should a project team read alongside this answer?

Read the linked commercial guides and original question. Separate the response’s recommendations and illustrative assumptions from source-reported operating evidence.

Sources & References

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Renewable Gas Policy consultation

  Publication: Date not verified

  Observation period: Not recorded

  Relevant page / section: Claim-level locator not yet verified

  Last link / title verification: 2026-10-11

  Publisher link checked; individual claims, costs and regulatory applicability still require review.

  Check scope and current applicability before relying on this reference.

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Renewable Gas Policy consultation paper

  Publication: 2026-08

  Observation period: Australia; 2026 consultation

  Relevant page / section: Consultation questions; use answer-specific paper page and question reference

  Last link / title verification: 2026-10-11

  Publisher link checked; individual claims, costs and regulatory applicability still require review.

  Source for questions/context, not proof of an implemented support mechanism. Question text attribution: Commonwealth, CC BY 4.0, as noted in Shelby’s supplied consultation response.

• Creative Commons, Attribution 4.0 International

  Publication: Date not verified

  Observation period: Not recorded

  Relevant page / section: Claim-level locator not yet verified

  Last link / title verification: 2026-10-11

  Publisher link checked; individual claims, costs and regulatory applicability still require review.

  Check scope and current applicability before relying on this reference.