Day 51: BECCS

Today you will learn about Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), why it may or may not help solve climate change, how it works and what needs to still be done for it to be an effective solution to climate change.

Summary

Explain succinctly what BECCS is from first principles:

BECCS stands for "Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage." It is a climate change mitigation technique that involves generating energy from biomass (such as plants and organic waste) and capturing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the energy production process. The captured CO2 is then stored underground in geological formations to prevent it from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

Why does BECCS help to solve climate change?

BECCS is considered a potential solution to climate change because it has the potential to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. By capturing and storing CO2, BECCS can effectively offset emissions from other sectors and help to achieve negative emissions. This means that BECCS can reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and contribute to limiting global warming.

Steel man the other side. Why would BECCS NOT work to solve climate change?

While BECCS has the potential to be a valuable climate change mitigation strategy, there are several challenges and concerns that need to be addressed. Some criticisms of BECCS include:

• Land-use competition: Large-scale deployment of BECCS may lead to competition for land between food production, biodiversity conservation, and energy crops, potentially leading to unintended negative consequences.
• Energy and resource requirements: BECCS requires substantial amounts of land, water, and energy for biomass cultivation, processing, and carbon capture. If not implemented carefully, it could lead to increased resource exploitation and environmental impacts.
• Technological limitations: The carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology necessary for BECCS is still in its early stages and faces challenges related to cost, scalability, and long-term effectiveness.

Who benefits most by implementing BECCS as a solution?

The primary beneficiaries of implementing BECCS are countries and industries seeking to reduce their carbon emissions and achieve climate goals. BECCS can offer a means to transition to a low-carbon economy, providing an additional tool for nations to meet their emission reduction targets under international climate agreements.

Who is harmed most by implementing BECCS as a solution?

The potential harm of implementing BECCS largely depends on how it is executed. If not managed properly, large-scale BECCS projects could lead to land-use conflicts, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Additionally, communities that rely on natural resources from areas designated for biomass cultivation may face adverse social and economic impacts if not adequately addressed.

How feasible is BECCS to implement as a solution?

The feasibility of BECCS depends on several factors, including technological advancement, availability of sustainable biomass feedstock, and supportive policies and regulations. While the concept of BECCS is promising, its large-scale implementation faces challenges such as ensuring sustainable biomass production, developing cost-effective CCS technology, and addressing potential environmental and social impacts.

How does BECCS work as a solution to climate change?

BECCS involves the following steps:

• Biomass cultivation: Growing energy crops or using organic waste as biomass feedstock. These plants absorb CO2 during their growth, effectively sequestering carbon.
• Biomass conversion: The biomass is processed to generate energy through burning, gasification, or other conversion methods. This process releases CO2 and other emissions.
• Carbon capture: The CO2 emitted during biomass conversion is captured using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. It is then compressed and transported for storage.
• Carbon storage: The captured CO2 is stored underground in geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers, where it is securely stored for long periods, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.

What is a real-life example of the solution of BECCS being implemented?

As of my last update in September 2021, several pilot and demonstration BECCS projects were underway globally. For example, the Drax Power Station in the United Kingdom is a large-scale bioenergy facility with a CCS pilot project. Drax is converting some of its coal-burning units to run on biomass and has implemented CCS technology to capture CO2 emissions from the biomass combustion process. The captured CO2 is then transported and stored in geological formations.

For BECCS as a solution to work, what innovation or policy needs to be created?

To make BECCS an effective solution, several innovations and policies are essential:

• Advancements in CCS technology to make it more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable.
• Sustainable biomass sourcing practices to ensure that biomass cultivation does not compete with food production or cause environmental degradation.
• Robust policies and regulations to address potential social and environmental impacts, promote sustainable practices, and incentivize investment in BECCS projects.

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Additional Resources

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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Top Skills To Learn

The following skills are recommend to learn:

• Environmental Science and Engineering: A deep understanding of environmental science, sustainability, and engineering principles is crucial to assess the feasibility, impacts, and potential risks of BECCS projects.
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology: Studying CCS technology and its development will help students contribute to improving and advancing the crucial component of BECCS.
• Sustainable Biomass Management: Learning about sustainable biomass production, land use, and resource management is essential to ensure that BECCS projects are environmentally and socially responsible.

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Activity

Activity: BECCS Policy Proposal

Description: Design a policy proposal outlining regulations, incentives, and guidelines for the implementation of BECCS projects in a specific region.

Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.