How Torrefied Biomass Could Power Saskatchewan's Future
In the vast, golden fields of Saskatchewan, a quiet energy revolution is taking shape, turning what was once considered waste into a powerful source of clean, renewable power.
Imagine Saskatchewan's agricultural landscape not just as a source of food, but as a vast, renewable energy reserve. Each year, the province's massive canola production—5.9 million metric tonnes in 2020 alone—generates an estimated 10-15% of its weight in residual biomass like pods, hulls, and dead seeds 1 . Traditionally seen as waste, this agricultural residue now represents an extraordinary opportunity. Through an innovative process called torrefaction, these leftovers can be transformed into clean-burning, energy-dense biofuel that could help power the province while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Metric tonnes of canola produced in Saskatchewan (2020)
Residual biomass from canola production
Energy content increase through torrefaction
Torrefaction is a mild thermal pretreatment process that upgrades raw biomass into a superior solid fuel, often called "biocoal" or "biochar" 5 . Think of it as a sophisticated baking process that removes undesirable elements from biomass while concentrating its energy content.
The process occurs under oxygen-deficient conditions at temperatures ranging from 200-300°C 5 . Unlike complete combustion, the absence of oxygen prevents the biomass from burning away entirely.
The torrefaction process typically lasts 30-60 minutes, after which the transformed biomass emerges as a uniform, coal-like material that's easier to handle, transport, and store than its raw predecessor 7 .
During torrefaction is remarkable. As the biomass heats up, moisture evaporates, and volatile organic compounds release, leaving behind a material with:
Saskatchewan's agricultural economy generates enormous volumes of biomass residues that could be tapped for energy production. Canola residue alone represents a significant untapped resource 1 . Instead of considering these materials as waste, torrefaction offers a pathway to transform them into value-added energy products.
The environmental benefits are substantial. Fossil fuels have long been regarded as environmentally unfriendly due to their high greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute significantly to global warming 1 . Torrefied biomass serves as a carbon-neutral alternative—the carbon released during its combustion is approximately equal to what the plants absorbed from the atmosphere during their growth phase.
Torrefied pellets also offer practical advantages over raw biomass. Their higher energy density means more energy can be transported in the same volume, reducing transportation costs per unit of energy 2 . Their water-resistant nature allows for outdoor storage without significant degradation, addressing a major limitation of conventional biomass fuels .
"Torrefied biomass serves as a carbon-neutral alternative—the carbon released during its combustion is approximately equal to what the plants absorbed from the atmosphere during their growth phase."
Researchers have specifically investigated the potential of converting Saskatchewan's agricultural residues into torrefied fuel pellets. One detailed techno-economic analysis examined two production scenarios for canola residue pellets 1 .
The experiment followed a systematic process:
Canola residue was collected from processing plants, with an assumed moisture content of 10-12% 1 .
Using microwave torrefaction technology, the biomass was heated in an oxygen-deficient environment to decompose its lignocellulosic structure 1 .
The torrefied material was cooled and ground to appropriate particle size.
The material was formed into durable pellets under high pressure—with two distinct approaches:
Final pellets were cooled and prepared for analysis.
The entire process was designed to handle 5 tonnes of canola residue per hour, operating near canola processing plants to minimize transportation costs of raw biomass 1 .
The research yielded promising economic data for both production scenarios:
| Production Scenario | Minimum Selling Price (per tonne) | Internal Rate of Return (IRR) | Plant Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 (with additives) | $103.4 | 25% | 40,080 tonnes/year |
| Scenario 2 (without additives) | $105.1 | 22% | 40,080 tonnes/year |
Data source: 1
Both scenarios demonstrated strong economic potential, with the additive-based process showing slightly better financial returns. The study identified the torrefaction reactor as the most significant capital cost component in the integrated system 1 .
Sensitivity analysis revealed that labor costs had the highest influence on both the net present value and minimum selling price, suggesting that operational efficiency is crucial for economic success 1 .
The global market for torrefied biomass pellets is experiencing robust growth, reflecting increasing recognition of their value as a renewable energy source.
| Year | Market Size (USD) | Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $379.042 Million | - |
| 2025 | $1008.83 Million | 27.727% (2025-2033) |
| 2033 | $7146.27 Million | 27.727% (2025-2033) |
Data source: 8
This remarkable growth—expanding nearly 19-fold between 2021 and 2033—is driven by several factors:
North America represents a significant share of this growing market, accounting for approximately 21.65% of the global market revenue in 2025 8 .
| Tool or Technology | Primary Function | Specific Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Torrefaction Reactors | Thermal processing of biomass | Batch reactors for experimental studies; moving bed designs for commercial scale |
| Elemental Analyzers | Determine chemical composition | Measuring carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur content in raw and torrefied biomass 7 |
| Bomb Calorimetry | Measure energy content | Determining higher heating value (HHV) of torrefied products 9 |
| Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) | Analyze thermal stability | Studying weight loss patterns of biomass during heating 9 |
| FTIR Spectroscopy | Identify chemical bonds | Detecting changes in functional groups after torrefaction 9 |
| Moisture Analyzers | Precisely determine water content | Establishing moisture levels before and after torrefaction 7 |
Despite its promise, torrefaction technology faces several challenges that researchers and entrepreneurs are working to overcome:
Torrefaction represents more than just a technical process—it's a paradigm shift in how we view agricultural residues. For Saskatchewan, with its abundant biomass resources, this technology offers a pathway to transform waste into wealth, while simultaneously addressing environmental challenges.
The research is clear: torrefied biomass from agricultural residues like canola waste is not only technically feasible but economically viable. With a minimum selling price of approximately $103-105 per tonne at the plant gate, torrefied pellets can compete with conventional energy sources while offering superior environmental benefits 1 .
As the global energy landscape continues to evolve toward cleaner, renewable sources, technologies like torrefaction position Saskatchewan to leverage its agricultural strengths for energy innovation. By converting waste biomass into high-quality solid fuel, the province can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new economic opportunities in rural areas, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future—all while adding value to its established agricultural sector.
The transformation of Saskatchewan's agricultural residues into clean energy represents a circular economy in action—where what was once considered waste becomes worth watts.