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A Gresham-based biomass processing company is using federal grants to rise above its competitors.

uses a process called torrefaction to turn woody debris into pellets that can be burned for cleaner electricity. While torrefaction technology has become more common in the past couple of years, commercialization has challenged many companies.

But HM3 Energy developed a proprietary process that has garnered attention from the federal government as well as local utilities. Its 鈥淭orrB鈥� process converts forest debris into solid biofuel pellets that can burn in existing coal-fired power plants without any equipment modifications.

HM3 Energy’s efforts were bolstered by a $241,000 grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and two U.S. Department of Agriculture grants totaling $550,000.

鈥淲hen it comes to our technology, we feel very confident,鈥� said Hiroshi Morihara, president and CEO. 鈥淲inning these competitive grants shows that our technology is sound.鈥�

Construction is under way in Troutdale on a demonstration plant scheduled to be completed in March 2012. HM3 also is designing and permitting a commercial plant expected to come online in Prineville in 2013.

Portland General Electric, TransAlta, PacifiCorp and Duke Energy have expressed interest in using the solid biofuel that will come out of HM3’s commercial plant, Morihara said. While there are no contracts in place yet, Morihara said the utilities would each use approximately 8,000 tons to burn in their coal-fired plants.

HM3 has raised half of the money needed 鈥� approximately $5 million 鈥� for the commercial facility, through a federal program that provides visas to foreigners who invest in American companies. The Immigrant Investor Program, also known as EB-5, is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and stipulates that each investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs.

鈥淥regon’s rural areas are depressed, and we can invigorate that rural economy by using Oregon’s strengths,鈥� Morihara said. 鈥淧eople who used to work for sawmills that have now closed down might be available to work for us.鈥�

The commercial plant will employ approximately 20 operators, but also will need people to gather, shred and transport the forest debris. A total of 125 direct and indirect jobs would be supported by each plant, according to Morihara.

Morihara has an aggressive business plan, which he and his partners have refined through the company’s participation in the Cleantech Open; HM3 is a regional semifinalist in the competition. Once the first commercial plant is operating, HM3 plans to build 22 more plants in timber towns across Oregon.

鈥淭he most important thing is that during manufacturing, we’ll be very careful so that we don’t emit any toxic gases and we don’t use water, so there’s no water pollution. And the product (is) very clean burning 鈥� it’s a great replacement fuel for coal.鈥�