Biochar

Overview

We are using biochar technology to aid the environment in many ways:

Stop climate change
Improve soil quality
Reduce waste

See how biochar works

See neighborhoods using biochar

Minneapolis is a world leader

Minneapolis is one of seven cities in the world to receive grant funding for biochar projects.
We are using our funding to build a biochar facility at 670 25th Ave. SE

See biochar facility

Person holding sticks in a press conference

City of Minneapolis breaks ground on biochar facility

The City of Minneapolis broke ground on the first city-owned and operated biochar facility in North America on April 30.

Process

Biochar is a specialized charcoal created by heating wood up to 700 degrees. Heating the wood changes its structure by creating small pores.

It helps the environment by:

Acting as a sponge that holds nutrients and water in the soil
Pulling carbon out of the air and storing it in the soil for centuries

Types of biochar

Biochar comes in many shapes, sizes and types. We can produce biochar different ways to help the environment.

Biochar types can vary based on:

The type of wood or material that is used
The temperature it’s heated to
The amount of time the material is heated

Reducing wood waste

Minneapolis is currently losing tree canopy cover due to the Emerald Ash Borer. The removal of ash trees increases wood debris.

We will use this infested wood to produce biochar to decrease:

Carbon emissions
Environmental issues

Biochar: A Journey to Minneapolis

Our biochar program turns tree waste into a powerful tool for soil health and carbon removal. We’re improving sustainability and reducing emissions in the city.

Watch the video (1 m 3 sec)

What facility will do

The facility will receive up to 3,600 tons of wood waste.
We will be able to convert the waste into 500 tons of biochar each year.
The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) Certification Program will certify our biochar.
The biochar will go through a series of tests for certification.

Read about the Biochar Initiative

Timeline

Spring/Summer 2024: City did site design for the facility. Permit and approvals complete.
Spring 2025: We will prepare the site and begin construction.
Summer 2025: We will finish construction and start production operations.

Low levels of emissions

The production machine we will use creates very low levels of emissions.

Our facility will use natural gas to bring the system up to the target heat level:

This will take 15 to 30 minutes once per day.
When the system is at the heat level, the natural gas supply will shut off.
The system will then be self-heated by recycling the gases given off by the wood.

Partnership

Xcel Energy signed an agreement with the City of Minneapolis. The utility company will provide wood waste for biochar production at the facility.

Key elements of the agreement

Xcel Energy will collect, chip and deliver vegetation from its vegetation management operations
The City agrees the vegetation will be used for the production of biochar
Each party will bear all of its costs and expenses
Neither party will provide or receive funding from the other party under the agreement