Background

In 2011, the IEAGHG R&D Programme published a report on the global potential of six technology routes that combine biomass with carbon capture and storage (CCS) titled: Potential for Biomass and Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (IEAGHG 2011/06). The study considered four electricity production routes and two routes for biodiesel and bio-ethanol production. This study addresses two additional technology routes combining the production of biomethane with the capture and storage of the co-produced carbon dioxide.

Key Messages

• Biomethane production in combination with carbon capture and storage (CCS) has the technical potential to remove up to 3.5 Gt of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere in 2050. This is in the context of the required emissions reductions from the energy sector of over 30 Gt by 2050 (IEA CCS Roadmap 2013). Annual greenhouse gas emission savings could be almost 8 Gt in 2050 if natural gas is replaced by biomethane production with CCS.

• The maximum technical potential is provided by large scale gasification based production of biomethane with CCS which could have potential in regions where large scale infrastructure is already in place for the transport of biomass, natural gas and CO2. Small scale biomethane production with CCS based on digestion, suitable for biomass with high water content, is most likely restricted to niche market applications. The technical potentials are limited by the availability of sustainable biomass.

• The economic potential depends strongly on the CO2 price and natural gas price, and is much lower than the technical potential for all scenarios, the highest potential being 0.4Gt by 2050.

• Overall, the potential is most likely restricted to those regions that have favourable (high) natural gas and CO2 prices and favourable infrastructure.