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Combining Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) - A Review
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, Near Surface Geoscience 2016 - 22nd European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Sep 2016, Volume 2016, cp-495-00133
Abstract
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has recently gained global attention as a carbon reduction technology involving permanent net removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. BECCS has the potential to realize a significant capture and storage of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere by bioenergy feedstocks, and in turn, delivers power and heat production with net “negative carbon emissions”. This is a considerably advantageous over other mitigation alternatives, which only decrease the amount of atmospheric emissions. BECCS finds applicability in a wide range of biomass‐related technologies, while being attractive from a relative cost perspective. However, its true potential has yet not been fully realised. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the technologies and issues associated with BECCS and highlight the implicated challenges related with the incentive policies based on an assessment of the net impact on emissions achievable. Further, the need for internationally compatible accounting policy incorporating all emissions generated by BECCS over its lifecycle is discussed. Finally, recommendations to minimise the risks of disincentivizing inherently low carbon energy systems via lock-in of fossil CCS are provided. Also, the linking of bio-processing infrastructure with CO2 storage sites, along with contentious scenarios of global bioenergy potential, is included.