On the Assessment of the CO2 Mitigation Potential of Woody Biomass

Abstract

Woody biomass, a renewable energy resource, accumulates solar energy in form of carbon hydrates produced from atmospheric CO2 and H2O. It is, therefore, a means of CO2 mitigation for society as long as the biogenic carbon released to the atmosphere when delivering its energy content by oxidation can be accumulated again during growth of new woody biomass. Even when considering the complete life cycle, usually, only a small amount of fossil CO2 is emitted. However, woody biomass availability is limited by land requirement and, therefore, it is important to maximize its CO2 mitigation potential in the energy system. In this study, we consider woody biomass not only as a source of renewable energy but also as a source of carbon for seasonal storage of solar electricity. A first analysis is carried out based on the mitigation effect of woody biomass usage pathways, which is the avoided fossil CO2 emissions obtained by using one unit of woody biomass to provide energy services, as alternative to fossil fuels. Results show that woody biomass usage pathways can achieve up to 9.55 times the mitigation effect obtained through combustion of woody biomass, which is taken as a reference. Applying energy system modeling and multi-objective optimization techniques, the role of woody biomass technological choices in the energy transition is then analyzed at a country scale. The analysis is applied to Switzerland, demonstrating that the use of woody biomass in gasification-methanation systems, coupled with electrolysers and combined with an intensive deployment of PV panels and efficient technologies, could reduce the natural gas imports to zero. Electrolysers are used to boost synthetic natural gas production by hydrogen injection into the methanation reaction. The hydrogen used is produced when there is excess of solar electricity. The efficient technologies, such as heat pumps and battery electric vehicles, allow increasing the overall efficiency of the energy system while generating demand for the solar electricity.

Prepared Sulfonic-Acid-Based Ionic Liquid for Catalytic Conversion of Furfuryl Alcohol to Ethyl Levulinate

“…Biofuels derived from biomass offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels for transportation and chemical production. − They are carbon-neutral, as the emitted carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants . Biomass is widely available, renewable, and recyclable, making it an attractive energy source. − Ethyl levulinate (EL), derived from biomass, has desirable properties and finds applications in biofuels, fuel additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, and green solvents. , However, traditional catalysts for EL production can cause pollution, equipment corrosion, and separation issues. , Therefore, the selection of catalysts for EL synthesis should consider environmental and economic factors, aiming for ease of separation, eco-friendliness, stability, high activity, and cost-effectiveness. , In industry, furfuryl alcohol (FA) obtained directly from pentose hydrolysis is commonly used as a raw material for producing EL. − This approach not only saves resources but also simplifies the purification process for the final products. , …”

“… 1 − 3 They are carbon-neutral, as the emitted carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants. 4 Biomass is widely available, renewable, and recyclable, making it an attractive energy source. 5 − 7 Ethyl levulinate (EL), derived from biomass, has desirable properties and finds applications in biofuels, fuel additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, and green solvents.…”

Sugar-to-What? An Environmental Merit Order Curve for Biobased Chemicals and Plastics

“…However, for bioenergy, approaches considering the efficient use of resources were already proposed more than ten years ago, 29 and multiple studies look into the efficient use of biomass for energy services. For instance, Steubing et al 30 consider the optimal use of waste biomass in Europe; Codina Gironès et al 31 assess the CO 2 mitigation potential of biomass in Switzerland; Calvo-Serrano et al 32 optimize the allocation of biomass for fuel, electricity, and ethylene production; and Daioglou et al developed future scenarios for biobased energy use on the basis of the TIMER model. 33 …”

On the Effect of the Distances between Coal and Wood Particles during Their Joint Pyrolysis on Sulfur Oxides Formation

“…Every year, the world's population receives more and more evidence of the intensive course of global warming processes [7], which is largely due to the burning of liquid and solid organic fuels [8,9]. Over the past three decades, attempts have been made to replace the traditional sources of electric energy (thermal and nuclear power plants) in most developed countries with non-traditional (or alternative) sources: solar [10], wind [11], and biomass [12,13]. However, the objective statistics of the International Energy Agency [14] show that the share of electricity generated by coal-fired power plants in the total electricity balance has only increased over the past 20 years [15], despite numerous statements about the intensive growth of electricity generated by wind turbines and solar panels [16].…”