The Economic Accessibility of CO2 Sequestration through Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in the US

Abstract

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one strategy to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. To assess the potential scale and cost of CO2 sequestration from BECCS in the US, this analysis models carbon sequestration net of supply chain emissions and costs of biomass production, delivery, power generation, and CO2 capture and sequestration in saline formations. The analysis includes two biomass supply scenarios (near-term and long-term), two biomass logistics scenarios (conventional and pelletized), and two generation technologies (pulverized combustion and integrated gasification combined cycle). Results show marginal cost per tonne CO2 (accounting for costs of electricity and CO2 emissions of reference power generation scenarios) as a function of CO2 sequestered (simulating capture of up to 90% of total CO2 sequestration potential) and associated spatial distribution of resources and generation locations for the array of scenario options. Under a near-term scenario using up to 206 million tonnes per year of biomass, up to 181 million tonnes CO2 can be sequestered annually at scenario-average costs ranging from $62 to $137 per tonne CO2; under a long-term scenario using up to 740 million tonnes per year of biomass, up to 737 million tonnes CO2 can be sequestered annually at scenario-average costs ranging from $42 to $92 per tonne CO2. These estimates of CO2 sequestration potential may be reduced if future competing demand reduces resource availability or may be increased if displaced emissions from conventional power sources are included. Results suggest there are large-scale opportunities to implement BECCS at moderate cost in the US, particularly in the Midwest, Plains States, and Texas.

Quantifying the challenge of reaching a 100% renewable energy power system for the United States

“…Other developing technologies such as fuel cells have the potential to fill this role at lower cost if research and manufacturing targets are realized. 34,35 Another factor that drives the cost increase as penetration grows is the rise in curtailment and losses associated with storage and transmission (see Figure 4). The curtailment and losses are highest in the 95% RE scenario because scenarios with greater than 95% RE begin to employ the RE-CT technology, which reduces variable RE (VRE) penetration (see Figure 2).…”

Impact of carbon dioxide removal technologies on deep decarbonization of the electric power sector

“…BECCS deployment is spread across a greater variety of regions relative to DAC, and the highest BECCS potential occurs in regions such as the Gulf, Southeast, Ohio Valley, and portions of the Midwest. This spatial deployment generally aligns with BECCS economic and technical potential estimates 39 , 40 , though our modeling includes not only biomass availability and CO 2 storage but also endogenous CO 2 pipeline capacity and electric sector capacity planning and dispatch. BECCS plants are primarily located in regions with higher biomass availability, especially since biomass transport costs are high due to its low energy density.…”

Can global models provide insights into regional mitigation strategies? A diagnostic model comparison study of bioenergy in Brazil

“…In their current form, global IAMs have limited potential to supply robust insights into regional mitigation strategies. The supply, cost, and effectiveness of bioenergy as a climate change mitigation measure depend a lot on the location of production, local environmental, technological, feedstock, energy system speci cities, and logistical constraints (Cintas et al, 2021;Daioglou et al, 2017;Donnison et al, 2020;Langholtz et al, 2020). This suggests fertile ground for a new research agenda to improve regional representation in global IAMs with improved spatial and technological resolutions.…”