HomeNewsUniversity of Twente joins forces with Twence to develop mobile device for ‘green coal’

University of Twente joins forces with Twence to develop mobile device for ‘green coal’ New biomass device developed as part of Overijssel’s BE2.O project

As part of the province of Overijssel’s programme for biomass energy, BE2.O (Bio Energy to Overijssel), the University of Twente and the waste and energy company Twence are developing new technology that will play a key role in converting biomass into a usable form of energy. They have developed a new mobile device that can collect waste material from agriculture, forestry and the management of natural land and convert it on the spot into energy-dense ‘torrefied’ (roasted) biomass fuel. This ‘green coal’ is made from ditch cuttings, roadside grass clippings, waste material from pruning, straw and leaves from farms and the natural environment. ‘Green coal’ is easy to transport and, because it is energy-dense, it can be used more easily in power plants or for heating in houses and offices. This new technology will make the whole process of using biomass for energy easier, so this will be a significant step forward in generating energy in a climate-neutral way. The project is part of the University of Twente’s Green Energy Initiative.


More efficient collection

Currently, waste material from agriculture and forests, which often contains a great deal of moisture, is bulky and difficult to transport. This makes it hard to process it into a form that can be used as biomass fuel. The new mobile device - which is being developed within the Department of Energy Technology by Professor Broom of the University of Twente in partnership with the waste and energy firm Twence - will bring about a dramatic change in this situation. The new technology will make it possible to process fresh, wet biomass on the spot - for example on the farm or at the edge of the woods. This process used is called ‘torrefaction’.


Green Coal

‘Torrefaction’ involves roasting twigs and leaves at a temperature of 250°C. This makes the biomass material more resistant to moisture and easier to grind up. This method, which is known as ‘feedstock engineering’, actually converts the material into a kind of green coal with a much higher energy value. This is an important part of the industrial processing of biomaterials into biofuels, which already takes place at companies like Twence for example, who are also participating in the project. The new mobile device is expected to be ready for use in two years.


BE2.O

This new project is part of BE2.O, which stands for Bio-Energy to Overijssel. This joint project - involving the Province of Overijssel, the University of Twente and various regional companies - aims to accelerate the introduction of bio-energy and thereby reduce CO2 emissions. The emphasis is on accelerating innovation, both in terms of technology and socio-economic aspects. BE2.O is part of the Green Energy Initiative (GEI) of the University of Twente.


Note to the press

For further details please contact Marcel Hammink, BE2.O Communication, tel +31 (0) 6 5321 3917.