Co-firing white or torrefied wood pellets in the Netherlands? An assessment of GHG emissions and emission savings.

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the common pathway for achieving renewable energy targets is co-firing white wood pellets in existing coal power plants for electricity and heat production. However, it is uncertain if this pathway will be able to meet future greenhouse gas emission savings criteria from the revised Renewable Energy Directive. An opportunity in this respect could be the integration of torrefaction in the pellet supply chain. Previous research shows large ranges in emission savings of torrefied pellets compared to white pellets or fossil fuels. Such uncertainty is a result from assumptions on e.g. feedstock type, drying fuel and torrefaction degree, as well as a lack of detailed data. This research presents a detailed GHG emission assessment of a specific supply chain case study common to the Netherlands. By following the revised Renewable Energy Directive methodology and by using industry data on pellet production, the GHG emissions saving potential of white- and torrefied pellet co-firing in the Netherlands under future EU legislation is assessed.