Accelerating the development of a sustainable bioenergy portfolio through stable isotopes

Abstract

Bioenergy could help limit global warming to 2°C above pre‐industrial levels while supplying almost a fourth of the world's renewable energy needs by 2050. However, the deployment of bioenergy raises concerns that adoption at meaningful scales may lead to unintended negative environmental consequences. Meanwhile, the full consolidation of a bioenergy industry is currently challenged by a sufficient, resilient, and resource‐efficient biomass supply and an effective conversion process. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of how stable isotope approaches have accelerated the development of a robust bioeconomy by advancing knowledge about environmental sustainability, feedstock development, and biological conversion. We show that advances in stable isotope research have generated crucial information to (1) gain mechanistic insight into the potential of bioenergy crops to mitigate climate change as well as their impact on water and nutrient cycling; (2) develop high‐yielding, resilient feedstocks that produce high‐value bioproducts in planta; and (3) engineer microbes to enhance feedstock conversion to bioenergy products. Further, we highlight knowledge gaps that could benefit from future research facilitated by stable isotope approaches. We conclude that advances in mechanistic knowledge and innovations within the field of stable isotopes in cross‐disciplinary research actions will greatly contribute to breaking down the barriers to establishing a robust bioeconomy.

Climate vs Energy Security: Quantifying the Trade-offs of BECCS Deployment and Overcoming Opportunity Costs on Set-Aside Land

“…Plant breeding for the improved efficiency and resilience of dedicated energy crops and water saving management strategies are, therefore, key for the sustainable deployment of BECCS. 177,178 Our findings highlight biophysical constraints that define the geographic limits of potential biomass and energy supply. Realistic action portfolios require spatially explicit assessments for capturing complex dynamics and identifying the limits to implementation.…”

“…While unavoidable, the additional stress on water resources will largely depend on the feedstock of choice and water availability. Plant breeding for the improved efficiency and resilience of dedicated energy crops and water saving management strategies are, therefore, key for the sustainable deployment of BECCS. , …”

Nitrogen acquisition and retention pathways in sustainable perennial bioenergy grass cropping systems

“…However, DNA-based methods have limitations in accurately reflecting in situ nitrification rates (Nardi et al, 2022), and the exact microbial groups that contribute to the nitrification function can be masked. To approach true field rates, measurements such as DNA stable isotope probing and RNA-based methods such as metatranscriptomics, are suggested (Blanc-Betes et al, 2023;Yang et al, 2022). Integrated experimental designs are crucial for addressing the inherent complexities of plant-soil-microbe systems and comprehensively characterizing BNI function in different grass species of interest.…”

Bio‐innovation for environmental sustainability: Asymmetric nexus between bioenergy technology budgets and ecological footprint

“…One primary influence is the reduction of dependence on non-renewable energy sources (Solarin et al, 2018). As the BTB supports the development of bioenergy technologies harnessing renewable biological sources, there is a consequent decrease in the usage of fossil fuels and other non-sustainable energy options, which leads to a decline in the ECF (Blanc-Betes et al, 2023;Popp et al, 2014).…”