Proposal to implement better BECCS
4 Jun 2013
The Institute of Chemical Engineers has discussed the contribution of bioenergy in future energy production.
In combining carbon capture and storage (CCS) with the electricity produced at a bioenergy power plant you obtain the added benefit of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
The technique, known as bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) may also provide further opportunities for climate change mitigation.
However, concerns have been raised over the increased tension created by BECCS land use. The electrical production generated by a BECCS plant would require land that is currently being competed for by other human needs, transport fuels and food supply systems.
Though the Institute believes these tensions may not necessarily emerge, the policy presents several recommendations that would reduce help CO2 emissions in the UK, whilst creating new energy.
The analysis advises the Government to undertake a detailed investigation into the potential use of biomass technologies for the generation of electricity within the UK, accommodating the potential needs in other areas.
The Institute has also laid out guidelines that will support R&D for CCS technology and has suggested the UK pursue ‘negative emissions’ credits in international climate change mitigation agreements.
