Torrefaction co-location with ethanol and coal plants boost ROI and drops GHG

In North Dakota, a professor from the University of Minnesota says that by co-locating torrefaction plants with ethanol and coal-powered plants that the cost of torrefaction falls to $17 per finished ton—after the cost of biomass-compared to $42. The trick is in the ability to sell the steam and gases produced during the process to help offset the costs. Doing so also helps improve the GHG balance of the coal-fired plants by co-firing with the biocoal.