Bioenergy and Waste

Abstract

A significant proportion of the decarbonization occurring in energy production is based on solar and wind energy. However, biomass also retains its place in the energy palette. This chapter presents an analysis of the technologies and sustainable levels of using biomass and waste for energy, as well as bioenergy carbon capture and storage applications. Furthermore, the chapter addresses the production of materials and chemicals in a manner that is supportive of the achievement of both climate and nature conservation goals. The chapter ultimately concludes that the sustainable utilization of biomass is constrained by its substantial land area requirements and subsequent adverse impacts on the natural environment. The growing population (forecast to stabilize at approximately 10–11 billion by 2030, from 8 billion in 2024) presents a challenge to current systems of production for food, energy, and materials. Given that most of the terrestrial world has already been impacted by human activities, there is a limited opportunity for further expansion. This necessitates the identification of more cost-effective land uses to meet our needs and the implementation of circular economy solutions to reduce the demand for virgin materials. Biomass represents a natural chemical storage of solar energy, and biomass and derived biofuels can be employed, for instance, to balance the variability in wind and solar power generation. It is imperative to guarantee that the utilization of biofuels does not exceed the rate at which plants are capable of binding the CO₂ released throughout the harvesting, production, and combustion processes. It is of additional significance that the growth and maintenance of biomass represents a natural carbon capture and storage mechanism with considerable potential. The principles of sustainability must be applied to the utilization of Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). The sustainable potential for BECCS should be fully exploited, while ensuring that any adverse impacts on the natural environment, such as the loss of habitats and species, water pollution or fluxes of greenhouse gas emissions from soil or water, are avoided.