The assignment for Pöyry includes project management, basic engineering, procurement and site supervision services.
The Finnish engineering services provider stated that the project is a step forward in energy transition from fossil fuels to bio-coal made from renewable biomass. For this purpose, Baltania has brought together parties to build a commercial, industrial scale torrefied pellet plant using the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Baltania CEO Mika Hassinen said: “We bring together two parties: CEG and Pöyry to execute this torrefied pellet plant project in Estonia. CEG delivers superior torrefaction technology and Pöyry is the chosen partner for its expertise in engineering, procurement, construction and management of biomass energy projects.”
Torrefaction is a thermochemical process applied to biomass which can transform it into a homogeneous fuel (bio-coal).
The torrefaction process is based on CEG technology which offers number of features. Utilizing its proprietary torrefaction reactor, CEG’s torrefaction process converts biomass into torrefied pellets and biochar. These products are claimed to be produced with no net thermal energy imported from non-renewable systems.
Pöyry’s Thermal Power Regional Director Ilkka Heikkilä said: “Pöyry is delighted to support Baltania with this important and challenging project in Estonia. It is one of the first industrial size torrefied pellet production plants in the world and by far the largest one, and we are proud to be their partner in this demanding project.”
CEG CEO Jeroen Koot said: “CEG was chosen to deliver its superior torrefaction technology and project management knowledge in torrefaction pellet plant projects. We see this as a major step forward in implementation of energy transition from fossil fuels to sustainable biomass-based fuels. We are proud to support Baltania in this important project in Estonia.”
This new production facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020. When fully operational, it can produce about 157,000 t/a of torrefied pellets made of sustainable biomass sourced from forestry wastes and by-products of wood processing industry.
