1/30/2013

Coming Full Circle

with Cool Planet Energy Systems
Cool Terra Biochar

Richard Wilson
Biochar Business Leader
rw@coolplanet.com

Agenda
1/30/2013

Biochar Basics and Benefits

Overview Cool Planet Technology
Current Research Initiatives
Q&A

Biochar Basics and Benefits

A Green Soil Amendment

Richard Wilson
Biochar Business Leader
rw@coolplanet.com

Biochar Origins: Terra Preta

Mid 1800s
Brazilian black earth soils gain international research
attention:
Mapped locations, finding black soils at ancient waste
disposal sites
Early 1900s
International collaborative research organizes around terra
preta
1980s-2010
Interdisciplinary programs begin in Brazil, Colombia, the U.S.,
Japan and Australia
Formation of the International Biochar Initiative (2006)
2010s and beyond
International commercialization efforts emerge
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Biochar Field Trials across the Globe

Biochar
Consulting
Barry Husk
Ontario, Canada
USDA
Prof. David Laird
Kansas, USA

University of
South Wales
Prof. Zwieten

Phoenix Energy
Systems
Cool Planet
Energy Systems
California, USA
North Carolina Farm
Center for Innovation and
Sustainability

CONFIDENTIAL -

Cornell University
Prof. Johannes
Lehmann
UK Biochar
Research Center

1/30/2013

Norwegian
Geotechnical
Institute

Nepal
Malasia
Indonesia
Zambia

Kenya
Colombia
Brazil
Paraguay
Zambia

Terra Preta and Biochar

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Positive Effect on Root Development

U. of Hawaii

Control

Fertilizer

Biochar +
Fertilizer
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Examples of Positive Effects of Biochar

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Renewable gasoline and biochar co-product can reduce

carbon footprint by 150%
The same car running on Cool
Planet gasoline can remove
2.8 US tons CO2 each year

A typical car emits

5.7 US tons CO2 each year

were
carbon

Were not just

carbon neutral

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NEGATIVE

Overview of Cool Planet Technology

Rick Wilson
Biochar Business Leader, VP
Rick.wilson@coolplanet.com

CERA

Energy Innovation
Pioneer 2011

Process Overview
Drop in gasoline

Biochar

Flexible non-food feedstock

Large high value markets

Feedstock flexibility: Go where

you grow

High value fuel: high octane, dropin gasoline

Abundant availability: Sustainable

supply

Valuable biochar: activated

carbon, soil enhancer

Stable pricing: Low volatility

versus crude oil

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Ground Breaking Technology

Combines mechanical and chemical processing innovations

No biological pathways to navigate: no contamination risk

Relatively low temperature and pressure: low energy consumption
No GMOs, no microbes: low process uncertainty
Small distributed plants: low capex, simple construction, mass production

Fast, low cost innovation

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Current Biochar Research Initiatives

Rick Wilson
Biochar Business Leader, VP
Rick.wilson@coolplanet.com

CERA

Energy Innovation
Pioneer 2011

Current Research Initiatives

Objective: Optimization of Cool Terra biochar for the
maximization of

Agricultural Yield
Soil Moisture Retention
NPK Nutrient Retention
Salt Water Remediation

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Cool Planet Biochar Research Team

Wilson Hago, Research Director
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, Brown University
Han Su Kim, Plant Physiologist
Ph.D., Plant Microbiology, Cornell University, formerly from Ceres
Richard Belcher, Microbiologist
Ph.D., Microbiology, University of California, Riverside
Ranko Bontchev, Surface Chemist
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, formerly from Cabot
Paige Roberts, BA Chemistry, University of Colorado
Kevin Dolinar, BA Environmental Science, University of California, Channel Islands

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Product Optimization
Key parameters for producing quality biochar:

pH
surface area/absorbency
processing conditions: temperature and time
ash content

All of these parameters relate to the feedstock.

Cool Planet research focuses on hemi-cellulosic (corn cob and stover) and
ligno-cellulosic (wood based) feedstocks.

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Cool Terra Processing

We bioactivate Cool Terra with our proprietary
brewing process to support natural biological
activity
Brewed biochar is a process unique to Cool Planet
that helps stabilize to a neutral pH and improve
overall performance

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Cool Terra Biochar Increases

Letttuce Biomass
23 Days After Germination

Control

CONFIDENTIAL

30% Biochar

18

Increased Drought Tolerance in Sandy Soil with

Cool Terra Biochar
Tomato Plants without water for 10 Days

Control

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30% Biochar

19

Collaborative Testing Program

We are currently transitioning from internal proof of concept to
external validation via field trial partnerships
Current partners:
David Holden, Agricultural Consultant, California
Organic Research Institute, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA
Pursuing several prospective collaborators
AND welcoming more!!

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Q&A
For Research Partnership Inquiries or other questions, contact:
Rick Wilson
Biochar Business Leader
rw@coolplanet.com
Wilson Hago
Biochar Research Director
wh@coolplanet.com
Paige Roberts
Lab Technician and Executive Assistant
pr@coolplanet.com

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