A Selection of Open Source Research Papers and Studies

Areas of Research
*** Recent Papers ***
  • Authors: E. M. Hodgson et al.https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13177
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13177
  • Published: Jul 2024
  • Overview:
    This paper examines the potential for scaling up the cultivation of miscanthus in the United Kingdom to support increased biomass production for energy needs. With a target of achieving 700,000 hectares of perennial energy crops by 2050, miscanthus is highlighted as a key option for domestic biomass supply. The review discusses the environmental and economic benefits of expanding miscanthus, such as increased yield and reduced reliance on imported biomass, and evaluates necessary strategies for sustainable upscaling. Importantly, it considers land management strategies to limit impacts on food production and biodiversity-rich areas.
    The paper also addresses the challenges and trade-offs associated with large-scale miscanthus cultivation. On arable lands, it suggests miscanthus could help improve soil health and alleviate weed issues. On grasslands, it could aid in flood mitigation and enhance water quality. To integrate miscanthus effectively, strategies should balance profitability, local environmental conditions, and the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring that miscanthus production complements food security. This comprehensive review provides insights into the role of miscanthus in the UK's sustainable energy future.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Alexander Olsson et el.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103567
  • Published: Jul 2024
  • Overview:
    This paper investigates the City of Stockholm's plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, relying on BECCS to manage remaining emissions. By focusing on a multi-level policy setting, the paper explores the complexities of municipal climate governance, where emission reduction capabilities are influenced by governance at regional, national, and EU levels. Analysis of interviews, City Council debates, and policy documents reveals how challenges in areas like waste incineration and road transport are tied to these external governing bodies.
    Additionally, the paper examines the risks associated with heavy reliance on BECCS, noting that it may reduce local investment in emission reductions and limit public discussion on residual emissions. There is concern that the 2030 net-zero target might be compromised if BECCS implementation faces delays. Recommendations include reassessing what constitutes residual emissions and considering separate targets for more strategic emissions management. This approach allows Stockholm to retain its position as a leader in climate policy while managing the associated risks of ambitious climate targets.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Muhammad Adnan Hayat et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104164
  • Published: Jun 2024
  • Overview:
    This paper explores various BECCS pathways to evaluate their potential for achieving net-negative emissions. BECCS technology, which involves capturing and storing CO2 from bioenergy processes, has gained interest as a tool for reducing atmospheric carbon. However, due to differing sustainability factors and emissions complexities across different BECCS pathways, achieving true net-negative emissions may not be possible for all options. The paper examines seven specific pathways, including those that use materials like corn for ethanol, biomethane from maize and manure, and straw pellets shipped across regions, assessing each for its emissions reduction potential and associated costs.
    The analysis considers not only carbon abatement costs but also the socioeconomic implications, such as the impact on local job creation, feedstock supply chain stability, and other environmental effects. These elements contribute to a balanced approach in evaluating BECCS. Ultimately, the paper identifies certain pathways that can achieve negative emissions under particular conditions, while noting that others may not fulfil this criterion, especially where long-distance transport or high energy inputs reduce their overall effectiveness.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Yufeng He et al/
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13128
  • Published: Jan 2024
  • Overview:
    This paper explores the biomass yield potential on U.S. marginal lands and its contribution to achieving net-zero emissions through BECCS. The focus is on using perennial C4 biomass crops, which can thrive on marginal lands under low-input conditions, thus avoiding competition with food and feed crops. The eastern half of the contiguous U.S. is identified as a significant area for such crops due to its unsuitability for traditional agriculture but potential for geological CO2 storage and perennial crop growth. The study evaluates the performance of three major perennial crops-Miscanthus, switchgrass, and energycane-under current and future climatic conditions to determine their yield potential and stability. The findings highlight the regional suitability of each crop, with Miscanthus performing best in the Midwest, switchgrass in the Northeast, and energycane in the Southeast. The research further discusses the projected biomass yields and their implications for carbon capture, emphasizing the potential of these crops to significantly contribute to reducing U.S. CO2 emissions and providing biomass for renewable industries.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Oscar Stenström1 et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1250537
  • Published: Jan 2024
  • Overview:

    Investigates the deployment of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the context of Stockholm Exergi, a company aiming to implement BECCS at a combined heat and power plant in Sweden. The study addresses uncertainties in political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and regulatory aspects, which pose challenges for BECCS investments. To tackle these uncertainties, the authors employ two decision-making methods: Dynamic Adaptive Planning (DAP), based on expert interviews, and Robust Decision Making (RDM), using exploratory modeling. The goal is to assess how robust investment decisions for BECCS can be made despite these uncertainties.

    The research focuses on identifying critical scenarios that could affect BECCS deployment and offers adaptations to manage these risks. It explores vulnerabilities and opportunities related to BECCS, and how factors such as biomass sustainability strategies and carbon market regulations impact investment decisions. The paper emphasizes the importance of regulatory certainty and policy support to ensure BECCS deployment success in the face of these challenges.

More information: https://doi.org/...
BECCS Modeling and Scenarios
  • Authors: Ming Ren et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120254
  • Published: 2023
  • Overview:
    This paper investigates how the cement industry, a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, can move toward net-zero emissions. The research employs an integrated framework that combines different modeling approaches to explore potential decarbonization pathways. The focus is on promoting energy-efficient technologies, which are crucial for reducing CO2 and other harmful pollutants in the short term. These technologies can significantly lower emissions of substances like SO2 and NOx, improving both environmental and health outcomes.
    In the long term, the paper explores the implementation of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) as a key method to achieve net-zero emissions. The analysis considers the increasing role of BECCS in cement production but also highlights potential challenges, such as increased water and land use. The research emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, combining energy efficiency and negative emission technologies while managing the broader environmental impacts of these strategies.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Alberto Almena-Ruiz et al.
  • Link: https://research.aston.ac.uk/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Examines the opportunities and challenges associated with BECCS in supporting net-zero emission targets. It discusses how BECCS can create a negative carbon flow by coupling CO2 removal, low-carbon energy conversion, and carbon capture and storage technologies. The paper emphasizes the need for process modeling and life cycle assessment of the entire BECCS value chain to determine its net-negative emission potential. It also highlights the importance of integrating BECCS into climate modeling methodologies such as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs). The study underscores that, while other renewable energies may be more cost-efficient, BECCS is unique in its ability to provide negative emissions and sustainability co-benefits across various sectors. However, it points out that political intervention is crucial to attract investment for long-term research and development and the implementation of BECCS technologies. The paper also cautions against over-reliance on future BECCS deployment to counterbalance current excess CO2 emissions, advocating for policy frameworks that consider wider sustainability benefits and trade-offs.
More information: https://research.aston.ac.uk/...
  • Authors: S. E. Tanzer et al.
  • Link: https://link.springer.com/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Reviews the use of BECCS in steel, cement, paper, ethanol, and chemicals industries, focusing on potential costs and achieving negative emissions. It examines recent literature to assess the viability and economic challenges of BECCS implementation in these sectors. Bioethanol is identified as a promising near-term source of negative emissions, though CO2 transport costs are a major limitation. The paper industry presents complex CO2 capture configurations, raising costs and limiting BECCS potential, while other industries like steel, cement, and chemicals require significant incentives to become cost-competitive. The study emphasizes the sensitivity of the overall CO2 balance to biomass supply chains and highlights the risk of shifting environmental burdens due to resource-intensive biomass cultivation and energy production for CO2 capture. The paper calls for transparent presentation of assumptions, system boundaries, and results to improve comparability across studies and suggests more research on BECCS-in-industry outside Europe, the USA, and Brazil to address local biomass supply chains and CO2 storage siting.
More information: https://link.springer.com/...
  • Authors: Professor Jim Watson et al.
  • Link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Explores the potential role of BECCS in achieving the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050. It examines the sustainability and policy implications associated with BECCS, highlighting both its potential contributions and the significant risks involved. Drawing on past experiences with CCS, the paper underscores the technical, economic, financial, and policy uncertainties that could hinder the deployment of BECCS technologies and infrastructure. It also addresses concerns over life cycle emissions and the sustainability of bioenergy supply chains, emphasizing that these factors could compromise the effectiveness of BECCS in removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Additionally, the paper considers the broader environmental impacts, such as potential negative effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, and land use, arising from large-scale investment in BECCS. It outlines five policy actions designed to mitigate these risks, including enhancing energy efficiency, diversifying removal options, scaling up engineered removal technologies, implementing conditional and incremental policy support for BECCS, and reforming regulations for biomass sustainability.
More information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/...
  • Authors: Andreas Krause et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12675
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Presents a cross-sectoral assessment of regional carbon mitigation potential in Bavaria, Germany, focusing on BECCS, reforestation, and forest management. Using an ecosystem model driven by high-resolution climate projections and satellite-derived land-cover data, the study evaluates the total carbon mitigation potential, including carbon storage and substitution effects. The model's accuracy is validated against national forest inventory data. The paper explores future land-use changes under two ambitious scenarios, analyzing mitigation via reforestation and bioenergy crops. Sensitivity simulations assess the carbon mitigation potential of converting croplands and pastures to bioenergy plantations, with and without CCS, and compare these to reforestation. The paper also examines mitigation in existing forests through various management practices. The findings provide guidelines for sustainable ecosystem management and emphasize the crucial role of CCS technology, despite its controversial status.
More information: https://doi.org/...
Biomass Sources and Sustainability
  • Authors: Sinéad Crotty et l.
  • Link: https://carboncontainmentlab.org/...
  • Published: 2023
  • Overview:
    Explores the complementarities between restorative forest management practices and the deployment of BECCS in the western United States, specifically in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. It aims to assess the supply of low-value woody biomass and opportunities for geological sequestration, evaluate the net emissions benefits of various biomass utilization options from a lifecycle perspective, and outline necessary policy actions. Using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data, the study estimates the potential volume of overstocked forest biomass in high wildfire-risk counties that could be used in BECCS or other biomass-based technologies. It presents four biomass availability scenarios and investigates the net emissions benefits of BECCS compared to other options, finding that products displacing carbon-intensive alternatives, like hydrogen with CCS, offer significant carbon storage potential. The paper also identifies key policy actions to advance BECCS, emphasizing the need for renewed policy and industry support to achieve climate, energy, and wildfire mitigation goals. The paper's recommendations include updating the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, enhancing the USDA's BECCS portfolio, and leveraging federal and state procurement to support market development for biomass-derived products and bioenergy.
More information: https://carboncontainmentlab.org/...
  • Authors: Danilo Scordia et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12935
  • Published: Mar 2022
  • Overview:
    This paper explores the potential of growing industrial crops on marginal lands in Europe to minimize competition with arable land and food production. The study examines eight experimental sites across three climatic zones (Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Continental) to evaluate seven advanced industrial crop species. These species include different varieties of giant reed, miscanthus, saccharum, switchgrass, tall wheatgrass, industrial hemp, and willow. The research investigates the impact of various marginality factors, such as dryness, unfavorable texture, stoniness, shallow soil, topsoil acidity, and heavy metal contamination. Biophysical constraints and low-input management practices are combined with prevailing climatic conditions to assess crop yields and performance. The objective is to provide insights into scaling up cropping systems on marginal lands and identifying best practices for crop management and selection under low-input conditions. This research contributes to understanding how genotype selection and management practices can optimize biomass production on marginal lands.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Catherine Even et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2022.100117
  • Published: 2022
  • Overview:
    This paper examines the use of microalgae for bioenergy production combined with carbon capture and storage, termed Microalgae-based Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (MBECCS). The study quantifies the process and compares it to traditional BECCS using terrestrial plants. MBECCS aims to remove 10 gigatons of CO2 annually, requiring significantly less cultivation area than traditional BECCS. Due to high water consumption, marine microalgae are recommended, though nutrient supply from wastewater remains a challenge. Both planktonic and biofilm microalgae are evaluated, with biofilm microalgae showing better energy efficiency due to higher areal productivity and reduced energy requirements. The paper details the methodology for quantifying the necessary culture area, water, and nutrients, and assesses the energy efficiency of the MBECCS process. It is found that at low productivities, MBECCS consumes electricity similarly to Direct Air Capture, but at higher productivities, it generates net electricity comparable to other renewable energy sources.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Mirza Faisal Qaseem, Ai-Min Wu
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12770
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Explores the potential of using marginal lands in China for bioenergy crop cultivation as part of the country's transition to a low-carbon energy system. It reviews the current status and potential of bioenergy in China, focusing on the promotion of bioenergy crops on marginal lands to address food and fuel conflicts. The study evaluates various regions in China for their suitability for bioenergy crop cultivation based on soil marginality. It also discusses the policies, subsidies, and incentives provided by the Chinese Government to promote biomass-based energy. The paper examines land management and plant improvement strategies that make marginal lands viable for bioenergy crops, including planting strategies, intercropping, and crop rotation. Additionally, it highlights the need for a national investigation to create an inventory of the technical and economic potential of biomass feedstocks on marginal lands, which would aid in effective policy-making and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using these lands for bioenergy production.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Di Zhang et al.
  • DOI Link: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se00609e
  • Published: 2019
  • Overview:

    This study evaluates the scalability of BECCS technologies within the context of achieving 1.5°C climate targets, addressing the controversies surrounding land use, food production competition, and costs. It focuses on biomass pulverized combustion plants and bioenergy combustion in combined heat and power plants, examining the deployment of both primary and secondary biomass. The research utilizes a comprehensive, harmonized dataset to perform a detailed land-use analysis, ensuring biomass cultivation does not compete with essential land uses. The study finds that utilizing secondary (waste-derived) biomass can significantly augment primary sources, and the distribution of BECCS infrastructure evolves as carbon dioxide removal (CDR) targets increase and local biomass sources are depleted.

    Key Points:

    • Focus on BECCS Scalability: Analyzes the feasibility of deploying BECCS technologies to meet climate goals without impacting essential land uses.
    • Primary and Secondary Biomass: Emphasizes the strategic use of both primary and secondary biomass to enhance sustainability and supply.
    • Land-Use Analysis: Conducts thorough land-use assessments to avoid conflicts with food production and habitation.
    • Infrastructure Dynamics: Observes that BECCS infrastructure initially clusters near cities for access to secondary biomass but shifts as needs grow.
    • Economic Efficiency: Highlights how less efficient BECCS plants may be more cost-effective in terms of CDR, influencing deployment strategies.
    • Self-Sufficiency and Import Needs: Notes that the UK could become self-sufficient in biomass but might opt to import for cost-effectiveness.
More information: https://pubs.rsc.org/...
  • Authors: Mauricio M. Núñez-Regueiro et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13452
  • Published: 2019
  • Overview:
    This paper explores the impact of bioenergy crop expansion on biodiversity, focusing on how land-use change and crop type affect site-level biodiversity. The study conducted two global meta-analyses to evaluate the effects of eight common bioenergy crops on biodiversity. One meta-analysis examined biodiversity in different production land uses, while the other extracted energy-yield estimates of potential bioenergy crops. Linear mixed-effect models were used to test how biodiversity effects varied with crop species, estimated energy yield, first- or second-generation crops, reference ecosystem type, and changes in habitat structure. The research highlights that species diversity and abundance are generally lower in bioenergy crops compared to the natural ecosystems they may replace. The study notes that first-generation crops, derived from oils, sugars, and starches, have greater negative effects on biodiversity than second-generation crops, derived from lignocellulose, woody crops, or residues. The findings suggest that using existing marginal lands or integrating biomass extraction within current production landscapes may be more biodiversity-friendly alternatives than converting natural ecosystems for biofuel production.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Colin M. Beal et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1002/2017EF000704
  • Published: 2018
  • Overview:
    This paper explores the integration of algae production with bioenergy carbon capture and storage - ABECCS - to enhance sustainability. ABECCS aims to address the limitations of traditional BECCS, particularly the competition for arable land and freshwater. By co-locating an algae facility with a eucalyptus forest used for BECCS, the system leverages the benefits of both technologies. The eucalyptus biomass fuels combined heat and power generation, with subsequent carbon capture and storage. A portion of the captured CO2 is utilized for algae cultivation, while the remainder is sequestered. The study conducts a comprehensive technoeconomic and life-cycle assessment to evaluate the economic, energetic, and environmental impacts of this integrated system. The facility produces protein comparable to soybeans, generates significant electricity, and sequesters a substantial amount of CO2 annually. This approach aims to offer a viable path to negative emissions without compromising agricultural productivity or increasing freshwater demand. The paper's background, purpose, objectives, and methodologies are detailed, emphasizing the innovative integration and its potential for large-scale application.
More information: https://doi.org/...
↑ top
Carbon Capture Technologies for BECCS
  • Authors: Pietro Bartocci et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112851
  • Published: 2022
  • Overview:
    Explores the development of BECCS technology by integrating a Pressurised Chemical Looping Combustor (PCLC) with a turbo expander. It investigates how plant efficiency can be optimized through this coupling. The study addresses the impact of pressure on chemical reactions and fluidised bed hydrodynamics, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of these effects. The research emphasizes designing a PCLC plant to work under pressurised conditions, starting from the turbo expander's characteristics and proceeding with a top-down approach to the chemical looping combustor's design. The methodology includes defining the dimensions of the air and fuel reactors, identifying the oxygen carrier inventory and circulation rate, and applying energy balance principles for optimization. This review aims to summarize key highlights in the field and introduce an original optimization method for enhancing power plant efficiency in BECCS applications.
More information: https://doi.org/...
Economic Feasibility and Policy
  • Authors: Brad Gentry et el.
  • Link: https://www.forumforthefuture.org/...
  • Published: 2022
  • Overview:
    Investigates the conditions necessary for successful deployment of BECCS. It highlights the importance of BECCS in addressing climate change through negative emissions technologies, focusing on the combustion of woody biomass to generate energy and capture CO2. The authors emphasize a precautionary approach to BECCS expansion, addressing complex issues such as indirect land use change, carbon payback periods, supply chain emissions, and community engagement. The report critiques the use of public funds for biomass-based electricity production and advocates for BECCS-focused subsidies to tackle the 'overshoot' challenge of excessive atmospheric CO2. The proposed BECCS plant at Drax's power station in Selby is discussed as a critical test case for economic and engineering feasibility. The paper thoroughly examines the upstream supply chain, including biomass sourcing and associated controversies, to propose a set of conditions for demonstrating that BECCS can be effectively and sustainably implemented. The report suggests that meeting these conditions is crucial for BECCS to contribute significantly to the portfolio of negative emissions technologies.
More information: https://www.forumforthefuture.org/...
  • Authors: Emma Jagu Schippers1 et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.2516/stet/2022018
  • Published: 2022
  • Overview:
    Explores the coordination-related challenges in deploying BECCS. While BECCS is crucial for achieving the Paris Agreement targets by removing CO2 from the atmosphere and producing energy, its large-scale deployment faces significant economic, social, and environmental barriers. The paper emphasizes the importance of strategic interactions and coordination within the BECCS value chain, which are often neglected in existing research that adopts a central planning perspective. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the coordination-related challenges for BECCS deployment based on a systematic literature review. It identifies three main coordination challenges that need further exploration: trading biomass and ensuring its sustainability, reducing costs through synergies with other industries and shared CO2 infrastructures, and coordinating international policies to generate revenues for BECCS. The objectives include highlighting the importance of addressing these coordination issues to enhance the feasibility of BECCS and providing insights into how these challenges can be systematically addressed. The methodology involves a systematic review of existing literature to identify the key coordination challenges and suggest areas for further research. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic interactions required for effective BECCS deployment, aiming to incentivize further investigation and collaboration among stakeholders to overcome these barriers.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Lorenzo Rosa et el.
  • Link: https://pubs.rsc.org/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Evaluates the potential of BECCS to remove carbon dioxide within a carbon-neutral Europe. It quantifies the technical potential for biogenic carbon dioxide removal (CDR) using seven different BECCS configurations, excluding purpose-grown bio-energy plantations. The research combines process engineering with geospatial assessment, estimating that up to 5% of 2018 European emissions, or about 200 million tons of CO2 per year, could be mitigated by BECCS. The study reveals that two-thirds of this potential comes from existing point sources such as pulp and paper, biomass co-fired, waste-to-energy, and wastewater treatment facilities, while one-third comes from distributed sources like crop residues, organic food waste, and livestock manure. It highlights the geopolitical and geographic challenges, noting that only a few European countries can meet their CDR needs through domestic biomass resources. The paper also underscores the unfavourable distribution of emission sources and storage sites and the necessity for a Europe-wide CO2 transportation network.
More information: https://pubs.rsc.org/...
  • Authors: Otávio Cavalett et al.
  • Link: https://www.ieabioenergy.com/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Reviews the potential for implementing BECCS in the cement sector. Cement production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and substantial reductions are necessary to meet global climate goals. The study explores various technological options for integrating BECCS, which uses biogenic fuels for process heat, to achieve net-zero or even negative emissions in cement production. It discusses the operational characteristics and investment levels required for these technologies, highlighting the inevitable increase in production costs. The paper also examines business and policy measures needed to support BECCS deployment, such as public procurement guidelines mandating low-CO2 cement in publicly funded projects.
More information: https://www.ieabioenergy.com/...
  • Authors: Mathilde Fajardy et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102262
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Examines the economic impacts of deploying BECCS under 1.5 °C and 2 °C climate stabilization scenarios, focusing on technology and economic considerations while excluding sustainability and political aspects. Using the MIT Economic Projection and Policy Analysis model, the study quantifies the potential scale of BECCS and its economic ramifications. BECCS is highlighted as a significant contributor to emission reductions in the latter half of the century, driven by revenues from carbon dioxide permits. The study indicates that BECCS can lower global economic costs and required carbon prices to achieve climate targets. Additionally, it explores the land use changes associated with large-scale BECCS deployment and its relatively limited impact on global commodity prices. The findings suggest that BECCS could be economically viable without significantly increasing agricultural commodity prices, though regional impacts may vary. The paper emphasizes the need for policies that complement carbon dioxide removal with emissions reductions and establish credible accounting and sustainable limits on BECCS deployment.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Mathias Fridahl, Mariliis Lehtveer
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.03.019
  • Published: 2018
  • Overview:
    Investigates the global potential, investment preferences, and deployment barriers for BECCS. It uses questionnaire data from UN climate change conferences to explore the influence of expertise, actor type, and origin on respondents' preferences for investing in BECCS, views on BECCS as a mitigation technology both globally and domestically, and assessment of possible domestic barriers to its deployment. The study employs non-parametric statistical analysis to reveal the low priority given to BECCS investments, high political and social constraints on its deployment, and the discrepancy between its perceived low domestic potential and slightly higher global potential. The findings highlight that sociopolitical constraints, such as lack of policy incentives and social acceptance, significantly affect the economic feasibility of BECCS. These constraints are not well represented in current climate scenarios, indicating a need for improved model scenarios and further research into the sociopolitical factors influencing BECCS deployment.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Mathilde Fajardy et al.
  • Link: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/...
  • Published: 2018
  • Overview:
    Examines the role of BECCS in meeting global climate change targets. It considers the variety of BECCS technologies available, assessing their respective energy and environmental costs and benefits. The authors highlight the complexity and challenges in understanding the true value and potential drawbacks of each BECCS technology. The paper discusses the lifecycle carbon dioxide balance, energy balance, and resource use associated with BECCS, indicating that while BECCS can be beneficial, it also has the potential to be detrimental to climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the challenges in ensuring that BECCS delivers timely and sustainable net carbon removal while generating energy at a significant scale. It calls for cautious, limited deployment of BECCS, stressing the importance of good governance and financial incentives to support high-quality BECCS projects. Policymakers are advised to remain sceptical of heavily relying on BECCS and to explore and implement alternative mitigation strategies.
More information: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/...
  • Authors: Asbjørn Torvanger
  • DOI Link: x.doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2018.1509044
  • Published: 2018
  • Overview:
    Explores the governance aspects of BECCS in the context of the Paris Agreement. It synthesizes literature on accounting and rewarding BECCS, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach to achieve large-scale negative emissions. The study breaks down BECCS into its core components: biomass and CCS. It highlights the importance of accurately accounting for net negative emissions by considering sustainability and resource use in biomass production, as well as the efficiency and safety of carbon capture and storage. The paper underscores that rewarding BECCS hinges on several factors, including biomass production efficiency, carbon cycle interactions, and secure CO2 storage. It calls for sustainable biomass production, given the trade-offs with land use. Furthermore, the paper discusses the added value of negative emissions compared to avoided emissions, advocating for the inclusion of negative emission 'credits' in pricing mechanisms, albeit with adjustments for global carbon cycle feedbacks. Successful BECCS implementation depends on integrating these insights into carbon trading mechanisms and aligning with international standards and agreements.
More information: http://dx.doi.org/...
  • Authors: Nicolas, C. et al.
  • Link: https://globalchange.mit.edu/...
  • Published: 2017
  • Overview:
    Reviews the potential of BECCS in reducing carbon emissions to meet global temperature targets. It examines the global energy production potential and cost ranges for BECCS, integrating this data into the MIT Economic Projection and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model to evaluate its competitiveness with other low-carbon options under climate stabilization scenarios. The study highlights key uncertainties affecting BECCS, such as biomass availability, advancements in carbon capture technologies, CO2 storage costs, and social acceptance. It emphasizes that the commercial viability of BECCS is heavily dependent on supportive policy environments, particularly carbon pricing. The paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of all components of BECCS technology, from biomass cultivation to CO2 storage, and suggests that the inclusion of BECCS can significantly lower global economic costs and required carbon prices for achieving stabilization targets.
More information: https://globalchange.mit.edu/...
  • Authors: Matteo Muratori e al.
  • Link: https://iopscience.iop.org/...
  • Published: 2016
  • Overview:
    Investigates the global and regional economic impacts of deploying BECCS using the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM). It explores the viability and economic consequences of large-scale BECCS deployment, considering its role as a negative-emissions technology that would require net subsidies in a carbon-taxed policy environment. The study examines the effects of BECCS on global trade patterns of fossil fuels, biomass, and agricultural products, highlighting how the presence of CCS benefits fossil-fuel exporting regions. Additionally, the paper explores the relationship between carbon prices, food-crop prices, and the use of BECCS, demonstrating that BECCS can mitigate upward pressure on food prices by lowering carbon prices and biomass demand. The research underscores the technical and institutional challenges that must be addressed to deploy BECCS at scale effectively.
More information: https://iopscience.iop.org/...
↑ top
Environmental Impacts and Tradeoffs
  • Authors: UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - Task and Finish Group
  • Link: https://www.gov.uk/...
  • Published: 2023
  • Overview:This paper investigates the role of BECCS in achieving greenhouse gas removal (GGR) at scale in the UK. It examines the carbon dynamics associated with BECCS and explores its potential to contribute to the UK's net zero emissions target by 2050. The focus of the report is on whether BECCS can deliver net CO2 removal from the atmosphere, particularly when using forest biomass as a feedstock. The paper is a result of discussions and presentations from a Task and Finish Group, comprised of experts from various sectors, convened by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and outlines the key questions the group explored, including whether biomass can serve as a carbon-neutral feedstock, if BECCS can ensure permanent CO2 storage, and the social and regulatory challenges involved in deploying BECCS. It also considers the opportunity costs of not implementing BECCS. This work aims to provide an evidence-based assessment to inform government policies on prioritizing BECCS as a GGR strategy.
More information: https://www.gov.uk/...
  • Authors: Duncan Brack, Richard King
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12827
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Examines the urgent need for effective strategies to achieve widespread carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through BECCS, afforestation, reforestation, and forest restoration. It highlights the challenges and limitations of large-scale BECCS, given its extensive resource requirements and the competing needs for ecosystem services. The paper suggests that a more limited BECCS deployment, using waste and residue feedstocks, could mitigate these impacts. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating various land-based CDR approaches, considering the best strategies for forest management and the availability of residual feedstocks for BECCS. The discussion includes policy measures needed to address these challenges and promote sustainable CDR solutions.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: V. Daioglou et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0885-y
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Explores the climate change mitigation potential of BECCS. It performs a global spatially explicit analysis of life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for lignocellulosic crop-based BECCS. The study assesses how negative emissions depend on factors such as biomass cultivation location, treatment of original vegetation, the final energy carrier produced, and the evaluation period considered. The paper demonstrates the variability in negative emission potential across different scenarios and highlights the significant impact of land requirements on BECCS deployment. It examines the feasibility of BECCS sequestration as projected in IPCC pathways, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of land use and early deployment to achieve climate targets.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Samira García-Freites et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2021.106164
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Explores the greenhouse gas removal (GGR) potential of BECCS to support the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050. The study focuses on the effectiveness and sustainability of three different BECCS supply chains through process modeling and lifecycle assessment. The analysis evaluates each supply chain's GGR potential based on CO2e emissions per unit of energy output, biomass, and land area required. It considers the implications of large-scale, medium-scale, and hydrogen-based BECCS systems. The research aims to determine the most effective and sustainable BECCS approaches, emphasizing the need to balance CO2 removal with biomass and land use sustainability.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Caspar Donnison et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12695
  • Published: 2019
  • Overview:
    Investigates the integration of BECCS with ecosystem services at a regional scale, focusing on the UK. The study aims to address the environmental and social implications of BECCS by incorporating ecosystem service values into a land-use optimization tool. It evaluates the suitability of six potential UK locations for a 500 MW BECCS power plant using local biomass resources. Each plant requires 2.33 million tonnes of biomass annually, generating 2.99 million tonnes of CO2 negative emissions and 3.72 TWh of electricity. The paper identifies spatially discrete impacts on ecosystem services, highlighting the most and least favorable locations and examining the effects of scaling BECCS plants beyond 500 MW. The study underscores the importance of site-specific impacts and suggests that smaller, distributed BECCS deployments are preferable for maximizing net welfare and achieving a balance between energy production, negative emissions, and ecosystem services.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Mathilde Fajardy et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1039/D1EE00642H
  • Published: 2017
  • Overview:
    Assesses the potential of BECCS in Europe by quantifying the technical potential for biogenic carbon dioxide removal (CDR) at a fine resolution. It examines seven BECCS configurations that do not rely on purpose-grown bioenergy plantations. The study integrates process engineering with geospatial assessment to determine the maximum mitigation capacity, which could address up to 5% of 2018 European emissions. The analysis highlights the contributions of existing point sources and distributed sources of biomass. It also explores the geopolitical and geographical challenges associated with BECCS deployment, including the distribution of emission sources and storage sites. The paper emphasizes the need for enhanced CO2 storage infrastructure and a Europe-wide CO2 transportation network to fully realize BECCS potential. By providing a comprehensive overview, this study aims to inform policymakers about the strategic actions required to implement BECCS effectively in Europe.
More information: https://doi.org/...
Social Acceptance and Governance
  • Authors: Adrian Lefvert , Stefan Grönkvist
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113882
  • Published: Jan 2024
  • Overview:
    This paper presents a policy-oriented perspective on the deployment and potential effectiveness of BECCS as a climate change mitigation strategy. It critically evaluates the ongoing discussions surrounding BECCS, focusing on three key areas: the accounting of emissions and removals associated with biomass cultivation, the implications of adding carbon capture technology to existing processes, and the financial incentives required to make BECCS economically viable. The paper highlights the need for a certification framework for BECCS that aligns with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, warning that discrepancies could hinder the deployment of this potentially cost-effective technology. By shifting the discussion away from Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which often rely on BECCS under certain assumptions, the authors aim to provide a more nuanced view of its role in future energy systems. The paper suggests that while BECCS might not be a silver bullet, it could still offer value in specific contexts, particularly in industries already utilizing biomass or processes with high biogenic CO2 concentrations.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Caspar L. Donnison et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103153
  • Published: 2023
  • Overview:
    Examines the social legitimacy of BECCS in the United Kingdom through an analysis of news media storylines. It highlights how BECCS is presented in both national and regional newspapers, focusing on the framing of public debate and the coalitions of actors involved. The study identifies several positive storylines, particularly in regions like Yorkshire and the Humber, where BECCS is seen as necessary and an opportunity, with the "Anchor for transition" storyline emphasizing regional socio-economic benefits. However, these positive narratives are countered by negative storylines that depict BECCS as dangerous, overhyped, worse than coal, an environmental disaster, and a distraction. The paper suggests that for BECCS to achieve social acceptance and legitimacy, the positive framing must address and disarm these negative perceptions. The analysis shows that the resonance of these storylines varies by context, with regional discourses often differing significantly from national ones.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: James Palmer, Wim Carton
  • Link: https://doi.org/...
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    Examines the evolving concept of BECCS into Bioenergy with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (BECCUS). It discusses how BECCUS aims to harness biomass combustion not only for CO2 storage but also for productive uses of captured CO2, transforming energy use from a driver of climate warming to a tool for climate repair. The paper sets out two main arguments: first, it views large-scale negative emissions from biomass combustion as an attempt to redefine the relationship between climate change and energy use; second, it suggests that the emergence of BECCUS reflects broader debates about the role of intensive energy use in future global sustainable development. The paper calls for governance frameworks for carbon dioxide removal that consider technical efficiency, social and environmental impacts, and compatibility with legitimate societal visions of energy use in a post-fossil fuel era.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Nasim Pour et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.1741
  • Published: 2017
  • Overview:
    Explores a sustainability framework for BECCS technologies, emphasizing the integration of environmental, economic, and social impacts into a three-pillar sustainability framework (3PSF). BECCS combines biomass conversion to energy with CO2 sequestration, offering a method to remove atmospheric CO2 while generating energy. The study investigates different BECCS pathways, including various biomass resources, conversion technologies, CO2 capture processes, and storage options, each with distinct impacts. It applies the 3PSF approach to bioenergy from municipal solid waste (MSW), modeling two BECCS systems: MSW incineration with CCS (MSW-CCS) and landfill gas combustion in gas turbines with CCS (LFG-CCS). The paper examines the economic viability of these technologies under different policy scenarios, highlighting the influence of renewable energy certificates and negative emission refunding schemes. Environmental assessments reveal significant CO2 removal potential, demonstrating BECCS's contribution to a low-carbon energy system. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable planning to avoid compromising ecosystems and social equity, providing a comprehensive framework for decision-makers.
More information: https://doi.org/...
↑ top
Supply Chain Optimization
  • Authors: Valentina Negri et al.
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117252
  • Published: 2021
  • Overview:
    This paper explores the complexities involved in developing cost-optimal and environmentally efficient BECCS supply chains within the European Union. The study addresses the gap in understanding how to design a multi-country BECCS system that not only achieves carbon dioxide removal (CDR) targets but also minimizes environmental and social impacts. The paper focuses on life cycle optimization to balance cost and environmental performance, offering insights into the infrastructure and logistics required for large-scale BECCS deployment in Europe. The research uses a life cycle impact assessment methodology, emphasizing cooperation among EU member states to meet a specific carbon removal target. The study's approach involves creating a detailed optimization model that factors in human health, ecosystem impacts, and resource usage alongside economic considerations.
More information: https://doi.org/...
Technological Challenges and Innovations
  • Authors: Sean Low
  • DOI Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101326
  • Published: 2020
  • Overview:
    Explores the feasibility of BECCS as presented in Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) scenarios used in IPCC reports. It examines the controversy surrounding IAMs, which rely on BECCS to meet ambitious climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. The study engages with IAM community members and a multidisciplinary range of critical experts to analyze how the feasibility of BECCS is assessed. Using the concept of 'boundary work,' the paper highlights how the expertise and authority of the IAM community are challenged by critics. The research reveals that competing judgments on BECCS's feasibility reflect differing views on scientific inquiry, the interplay of science and policy, science communication, and the need for reform. The paper concludes with a call for reflexive modeling approaches to bridge these perspectives.
More information: https://doi.org/...
  • Authors: Jarmo Sybren Kikstra
  • Link: https://www.researchgate.net/...
  • Published: 2019
  • Overview:
    Explores BECCS as a negative emission technology (NET) with a focus on its potential for CO2 sequestration and bioenergy production. The study acknowledges BECCS's prominent role in climate change mitigation strategies, especially in scenarios aligned with the Paris Agreement goals. It traces BECCS's development from a niche concept to a significant focus in academic literature, noting the shift from technical considerations to the need for examining social implications. The paper addresses various aspects of BECCS, including geographical constraints, risk dynamics, competition for local resources, and financing challenges. Additionally, it offers an ethical perspective on the intensive deployment of BECCS, using Jamieson's criteria for geoengineering solutions, emphasizing intergenerational justice. By balancing technical, social, and ethical considerations, the study aims to provide policymakers with comprehensive insights for BECCS implementation.
More information: https://www.researchgate.net/...
Related Pages:
Overview
Projects
Research
Web Resources
Latest Updates
Glossary