In the quest to decarbonize Europe’s power sector, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has emerged as a promising technology, offering the potential to generate electricity with reduced net emissions or even remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, the path to large-scale deployment is fraught with regulatory complexities and economic challenges, according to new research from Delft University of Technology.
Samantha Eleanor Tanzer, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, highlights the intricate web of policies that BECCS projects must navigate. “BECCS is a complex system,” Tanzer explains, “combining biomass sourcing, energy production, and CO2 transport and storage, each subject to different regulatory frameworks.” This patchwork of policies creates a significant hurdle for developers aiming to build sustainable and economically viable BECCS plants.
The study, published in Environmental Research Communications, which translates to Environmental Research Communications, reviews 19 policies relevant to BECCS, ranging from legislation in force to funding mechanisms. The findings reveal a lack of standardization in key areas, such as the definition of negative emissions and the approach to emission accounting. This regulatory uncertainty makes it difficult for investors to commit to BECCS projects, as the long-term valuation of negative emissions remains unclear.
One of the most pressing issues identified is the competition for biomass. As Tanzer points out, “High-ambition BECCS targets may not be realistic under current regulatory conditions and constrained biomass supply.” This competition could impede the EU’s climate targets, including the proposed 2040 goal of a net-zero power sector with 4–34 million tonnes per annum of BECCS.
The study also underscores the need for a coherent policy environment that internalizes the climate value of BECCS. Currently, the financial considerations at the plant level and the competition for biomass could hinder the EU’s decarbonization efforts. “There is a lack of a standardised definition of negative emissions, as well as insufficient clarity on the approach to system boundaries selection to use in emission accounting, sustainability criteria and accounting of upstream emissions for biowastes and residues,” Tanzer notes.
For the energy sector, these findings have significant implications. BECCS could play a crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions, but the current regulatory landscape poses substantial barriers. To facilitate the upscaling of BECCS, policymakers must address these gaps and provide clearer guidelines. This includes standardizing definitions, improving emission accounting methods, and ensuring long-term price stability for negative emissions.
As the EU strives to meet its ambitious climate targets, the insights from this research could shape future policy developments. By creating a more coherent and supportive regulatory environment, policymakers can unlock the potential of BECCS, paving the way for a more sustainable and decarbonized energy sector. The study serves as a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate and address the regulatory challenges hindering the deployment of this vital technology.