Washington-based NewEarth Renewable Energy Inc. recently announced it’s closing in on funding that will allow the company to complete construction of a commercial scale-biomass processing plant to host its ECO Pyro-Torrefaction technology.
A company spokeswoman said NewEarth expects to begin operations within the next four months. The new funding will allow the company to cover operation costs and make repairs needed to commence operations. The plant is located in the Province of Quebec; the exact location will be unveiled once operations begin.
Through a torrefaction process – a thermal treatment using temperatures higher than the biomass drying point but lower than the carbonization point – which transforms the molecular structure of cellulosic biomass , NewEarth produces E-Coal and E-Oil, which the company said can be used at power stations as an alternative to coal, petroleum, and natural gas, without utility retrofits or down time. It may also be used for heating homes and businesses.
NewEarth said energy crops, agricultural waste, dead wood and seaweed are all materials that can be processed into its E-Coal and E-Oil, which contain energy levels equivalent to that of fossil fuels.
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The company also announced it has signed seven contracts with major electricity producers in the U.S. and Europe, and is in discussion with others.
In September, NewEarth announced it had teamed up with engineering company LotusWorks USA, which will design and construct commercial-scale EPT facilities globally, and assist training factory staff to operate and maintain the EPT plants.