The Role for Bioenergy in Decarbonising the UK Energy System

Abstract:

In the context of UK energy system decarbonisation, the value of bioenergy within the energy system is greatest when combined with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) to deliver negative emissions. Strategies to develop a CCS sector in the UK must include Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS). In the absence of CCS, the value of bioenergy is greatest when producing gaseous or liquid fuels for use in sectors which are otherwise difficult to decarbonise, and where no lower-carbon options are readily available. The flexibility of gasification with syngas clean-up makes it resilient to wider energy system decisions. Investment is needed to deploy this technology at a commercial scale. The UK has the potential to increase biomass feedstock production in ways which deliver additional environmental benefits. Greater focus is needed on developing markets and business models which encourage new planting in suitable locations. To develop and expand the UK bioenergy sector sustainably and in a way which is strategically valuable to the UK’s decarbonisation efforts, action must be taken to develop sustainable feedstocks supplies and demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of key technologies. This report sets out four key recommendations to help the UK capitalise on key opportunities to develop the bioenergy sector: Create the right environment for BECCS in the UK, which through deployment can significantly reduce the cost of meeting the UK’s 2050 emissions targets and increase the likelihood that the UK can deliver net-zero emissions. Develop gasification for the production of clean syngas from biomass and wastes to enable the bioenergy sector to remain robust to changes elsewhere in the energy system. Increase biomass production and the supply of sustainable biomass for bioenergy in the UK, and maximise the use of appropriate residual waste resources for energy, to enable the delivery of greater emissions savings at a system level. Deliver more physically and chemically consistent feedstocks to end users, through improvements in plant breeding and pre-processing, and/or develop conversion technologies more resilient to variations in feedstock composition.

Publication Year:

2018

Publisher:

ETI

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Evans, H., Thirkill, A. and Hussain, B.