Bio-CCS Joint Task Force (ZEP / EBTP)

About the Bio-CCS JTF

The Bio-CCS JTF is a Joint Task Force on Bioenergy and Biofuels production with Carbon Capture and Storage, involving members of ZEP (Zero Emissions Platform) and the EBTP. The Secretariat of the Bio-CCS JTF is provided by Bellona (which is active in both platforms). The Joint Task Force looks at the potential benefits of combining CCS with biomass energy production, and covers topics such as co-firing of lignocellulosic feedstocks (wood, straw, etc) in power stations, co-gasification, CO₂ waste streams from biofuel production plants or biorefineries, and the potential for carbon negative solutions (i.e. removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and geological storage via biomass conversion).

Both CCS and advanced biofuel/bioenergy technologies are still at the pilot/demonstration phase. However it is recognised that both technologies will become increasingly important in reaching 2050 targets for GHG reduction. Looking at synergies between potential geological storage sites for carbon dioxide, innovative capture technologies, and the location and design of advanced biomass energy or co-firing/co-gasficiation facilities is of interest to researchers in both fields.

The Bio-CCS JTF meets regularly, contributes to workshops and EC consultations in the areas of bionergery/biofuels, sustainable energy, CCS, zero emissions strategies and related topics.

 

Biomass with CO₂ Capture and Storage (Bio-CCS) - The way forward for Europe

This report was produced by the Zero Emissions Platform with input from the European Biofuels Technology Platform.

Bio-CCS combines sustainable biomass conversion with CO₂ Capture and Storage (CCS) – e.g. in biofuels and bioenergy production – and is already being deployed at industrial scale in the U.S.*. Use of biofuels and bioenergy is steadily increasing in the European Union (EU) due to targets for renewable energy sources and certain biofuels production routes could provide “low-hanging fruits” for early, low-cost CCS deployment. A recent study indicated that, globally, Bio-CCS could remove 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year by 2050 using available sustainable biomass – equivalent to a third of all current global energy-related emissions. In Europe, Bio-CCS could remove 800 million tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year by 2050* using available sustainable biomass – equivalent to over 50% of current emissions from the EU power sector. This is in addition to any emissions reductions achieved by replacing fossil fuels with that biomass. Bio-CCS could ultimately result in industry sectors whose overall emissions are below zero, which could then offset emissions in other sectors where reductions are more difficult to attain (*please refer to report for detailed references).

Download report (2.5Mb, published 20-06-12)

The report was launched in Brussels in June 2012 during the first Bio-CCS session to be held during European Sustainable Energy Week. 

Second International Workshop on Biomass & Carbon Capture and Storage

The Bio-CCS JTF was involved in the the Second International Workshop on Biomass & Carbon Capture and Storage, which was hosted by the Cardiff Univesity School of Engineering on 25th and 26th October 2011.

The workshop was organised by Bellona in association with Cardiff University (both respresented on the EBTP Steering Commitee). Bellona is also a member of ZEP. The event was kindly sponsored by Alstom and IEAGHG, and builds upon the 1st International Workhop on Bio-CCS held in Orléans France on 14th and 15th October 2010.

The following topics were covered by the Second Workshop:

• Technology and Potential of Bio-CCS in Pulp and Paper Industry
• R&D needs within Bio-CCS
• IEAGHG Activities on Bio-CCS, including Techno-economic Evaluation of Biomass Fired or Co-Fired Power Plants with Post-Combustion CO2 Capture
• Options for biomass power with CCS: status, prospects and risks
• Potential relationships between subsurface microbial communities and Bio-CCS storage zones
• Co-firing biomass with fossil fuels in energy production and industry Technology Limitations to implementation of BIO-CCS Systems
• Feasibility of Bio-CCS In CHP Production – A Case Study of Biomass Cofiring Plant in Finland
• Greek Lignite / Cardoon co-firing at PPC Kardia Power Plant
• The cost-effectiveness of policy instruments for developing bioenergies with CO2 capture and geological storage
• Can Bio-CCS help improve Green House Gas mitigation objectives?
• Uncertainty about long term CO2 targets : a corporate response
• BECCS in Japan – An Analysis of Negative Emissions Potential for Bioenergy as a Mitigation Tool
• Pilot-scale co-firing of brownfield biomass resources under oxy-fuel conditions
• Kinetic analysis of biomass combustion under air and oxy-fuel condition