Can BECCS deliver sustainable and resource efficient negative emissions?
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Fajardy, M
Mac Dowell, N
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Negative emissions technologies (NETs) in general and Bioenergy with CO2 Capture and Storage
(BECCS) in particular are commonly regarded as vital yet controversial to meeting our climate
goals. In this contribution we present a whole-systems analysis of the BECCS value chain associated
with the cultivation, harvesting, transport and conversion in dedicated biomass power
stations in conjunction with CCS, of a range of biomass resources – both dedicated energy crops
(miscanthus, switchgrass, short rotation coppice willow), and agricultural residues (wheat straw).
We explicitly consider the implications of sourcing the biomass from different regions, climates
and land types. The water, carbon and energy footprints of each value chain were calculated,
and their impact on the overall system water, carbon and power efficiencies were evaluated. An
extensive literature review was performed and a statistical analysis of the available data is presented.
In order to describe the dynamic greenhouse gas balance of such as system, a yearly
accounting of the emissions was performed over the lifetime of a BECCS facility, and the carbon
"breakeven time" and lifetime net CO2 removal from the atmosphere were determined. The effects
of direct and indirect land use change were included, and were found to be a key determinant of
the viability of a BECCS project. Overall we conclude that, depending on the conditions of its
deployment, BECCS could lead to both carbon positive and negative results. The total quantity of
CO2 removed from the atmosphere over the project lifetime and the carbon breakeven time were
observed to be highly case specific. This has profound implications for the policy frameworks required
to incentivise and regulate the widespread deployment of BECCS technology. The results
of a sensitivity analysis on the model combined with the investigation of alternate supply chain
scenarios elucidated key levers to improve the sustainability of BECCS: 1) measuring and limiting
the impacts of direct and indirect land use change, 2) using carbon neutral power and organic
fertilizer, 3) minimising biomass transport, and prioritising sea over road transport, 4) maximising
the use of carbon negative fuels, and, 5) exploiting alternative biomass processing options,
e.g., natural drying or torrefaction. A key conclusion is that, regardless of the biomass and region
studied, the sustainability of BECCS relies heavily on intelligent management of the supply chain.
(BECCS) in particular are commonly regarded as vital yet controversial to meeting our climate
goals. In this contribution we present a whole-systems analysis of the BECCS value chain associated
with the cultivation, harvesting, transport and conversion in dedicated biomass power
stations in conjunction with CCS, of a range of biomass resources – both dedicated energy crops
(miscanthus, switchgrass, short rotation coppice willow), and agricultural residues (wheat straw).
We explicitly consider the implications of sourcing the biomass from different regions, climates
and land types. The water, carbon and energy footprints of each value chain were calculated,
and their impact on the overall system water, carbon and power efficiencies were evaluated. An
extensive literature review was performed and a statistical analysis of the available data is presented.
In order to describe the dynamic greenhouse gas balance of such as system, a yearly
accounting of the emissions was performed over the lifetime of a BECCS facility, and the carbon
"breakeven time" and lifetime net CO2 removal from the atmosphere were determined. The effects
of direct and indirect land use change were included, and were found to be a key determinant of
the viability of a BECCS project. Overall we conclude that, depending on the conditions of its
deployment, BECCS could lead to both carbon positive and negative results. The total quantity of
CO2 removed from the atmosphere over the project lifetime and the carbon breakeven time were
observed to be highly case specific. This has profound implications for the policy frameworks required
to incentivise and regulate the widespread deployment of BECCS technology. The results
of a sensitivity analysis on the model combined with the investigation of alternate supply chain
scenarios elucidated key levers to improve the sustainability of BECCS: 1) measuring and limiting
the impacts of direct and indirect land use change, 2) using carbon neutral power and organic
fertilizer, 3) minimising biomass transport, and prioritising sea over road transport, 4) maximising
the use of carbon negative fuels, and, 5) exploiting alternative biomass processing options,
e.g., natural drying or torrefaction. A key conclusion is that, regardless of the biomass and region
studied, the sustainability of BECCS relies heavily on intelligent management of the supply chain.
Date Issued
2017-04-06
Date Acceptance
2017-04-06
Citation
Energy & Environmental Science, 2017, 10, pp.1389-1426
ISSN
1754-5706
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
1389
End Page
1426
Journal / Book Title
Energy & Environmental Science
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
This article is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)
This article is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/M001369/1
Subjects
Energy
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status
Published