CEG developed a proprietary technology for the torrefaction of woody biomass to make biocoal, a sustainable replacement for fossil coal. This technology needed to be demonstrated and a new full size plant needed to be built.
Solution
The plant in Derby was developed to the first full size commercial production plant, and we developed the business model, detailing technology and market segments. Key strategic choices were made for CEG as technology provider. CEG would supply multiple EPCM contractors and strategic partners in order to grow the business as quickly as possible. The cooperation with Pöyry was developed, and the design of the Baltania plant with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes per annum in Vägari Estonia was commissioned
Torrefaction of Biomass
Torrefaction is a process whereby wood is thermally treated in a reactor and the product gets similar characteristics as coal. This so-called bio-coal can be used in a coal plant as direct sustainable replacement. The volume is reduced to 38% of the original volume. So, in contrast to other sustainable alternatives like wood pellets, the material has significantly lower logistics costs. Furthermore, it can be left outside in the rain. Only 10% of the original heat value is used as process heat, which is similar to wood pellets. The torrefaction process is key to opening remote areas with now unaccessible stocks of biomass.
Role
As CEO I managed CEG, and co-developed the new site of Baltania
Links
The technology is now part of Perpetual Next
Photos
- Biocoal the new sustainable alternative
- The reactor
- Torrefied biomass pellets ready to be used
- Strategy
- Business development
- Technology
- Scale up