[Terrapreta] carbon and compost

[Tom Miles]

Ron,

Your analysis calls to mind that right now our wood fuels face competition
from the high demand (in Europe) for wood pellets that sell for more than
$100/ton and, seasonally, from the demand for "beauty bark" for landscaping
($75/ton, $4.70/MMBtu at 16 MMBtu/ton). 

At current prices there will not be a serious demand from US coal plants
unless there is an incentive or requirement for burning biomass. The cost of
preparing and delivering the biomass or charcoal to the coal boiler results
in a "burner tip" cost much greater than coal. 

One interesting possibility is the use of charcoal as a peat substitute. It
looks like some percentage of $1.50/ft3 charcoal (at $200/ton) could be used
to replace $15/ft3 peat in nursery and greenhouse mixes. I am interested to
know about any trials to substitute charcoal for peat in growing mixes for
tree seedlings or other greenhouse plants.  

Tom