Klima-, Energi- og Forsyningsudvalget 2019-20
KEF Alm.del Bilag 231
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An energy efficient route to fossil free energy supplies
Biomass role in a sustainable future
The national climate legislation and international goals provide very tough challenges in cutting the net
CO2 emissions towards zero in order to secure a sustainable global climate. Despite growing efficiency
and capacity in production of sustainable electricity etc. we are still very far from reaching these goals.
An argument often heard, is that the biomass available can only cover part of the global energy demand,
and thus technologies like Power2X from CO2 or nitrogen are needed. The first part of this argument is
true, but if the easy electrifiable land based energy consumptions, like industry, heating, and transport
were removed from the equation, then there would be plenty of biomass available as energy carrier for
shipping, aviation and materials. According to World Biomass Association, at present the global non-
food biomass availability is 57 EJ predicted to grow to 150EJ in 2035. Even in a highly populated country
like Denmark a recent study (‘10 millioner tons planen’) showed that we could double the non-food
biomass production without reducing food/feed output and environmental sustainability [1] Alone 57EJ
corresponding to over 3 Gt of biomass, which via efficient upgrading would produce 1 Gt of biofuel,
more than enough for global shipping, aviation and materials.
Looking at international shipping, in April 2018 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed
to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% compared to 2008, but current projections by the International
Energy Agency (IEA) show that CO2 emissions from international shipping is expected to be 50%
higher than in 2008, unless something is done urgently [2]. Aviation is another part of the transport
sector, where CO2 emissions are continuing to grow. In 2018 it alone accounted for 2,5% of global
energy-related CO2 emissions, and global aviation activity is continuing to grow rapidly (more than
140% since 2000).
As identified by the IFD Climate Panel in their final report, low-emission or zero-emission biofuels are
potential solutions for these sectors. They are currently early stage solutions in need of development in
order to become commercialised and exported to the rest of the World. This is supported by the IEA,
which finds that the output of biofuels is currently growing with 4% per year, far behind the SDS’ target
of 10% [2].
Biofuels present their own set of issues. First of all, the most biofuels today are first generation, i.e. made
from resources (oils and sugars) that could be used for food and feed as well, which raises both political
KEF, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 231: Henvendelse af 11/2-20 fra Ib Johannsen om bæredygtige brændstoffer
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and large scale availability concerns. Threat to biodiversity from large scale monocultural growth is
another argument, but as many new biofuel technologies can accept very mixed feedstocks including
mixed agricultural, municipal and industrial biomass ‘waste’ streams this should be a manageable
concern.[1,3]
Another aspect, which is common to most biorefining processes is the decentral nature of biomass, which
is in contrast to fossil sources. The logistics of transporting low energy density wet or voluminous
biomass often renders huge central facilities less attractive and the complex nature of biomass calls for
innovation in the conversion technologies. In order to become a true alternative to traditional fuel
sources, biofuels and the process technologies for those need to be developed, taking into account
resource efficiency and integration into existing infrastructure.
Conversion efficiency of some HHV
selected methods
Yield
Energy yield
Process EROI* references
energy
(MJ/kg)
(kg/1000
(GJ/t DM)
kg feed)
CO2 (Capture) to liquid fuel
Biomass to biogas to liquid fuel:
Biomass to methane via biogas:
Biomass to biocrude HTL (B2O)
Biomass to fuel HTL + upgrading
44
44
56
35
44
238
290
320
350
300
10,5
12,8
17,8
12,2
13,2
33,6
18,2
12,5
1,35
3,35
0,31
0,71
1,4
9,1
3,9
4,5,8
4,5,6,8
4,8
7
7,8
)* EROI is the energy return on invested energy in the process
In addition to recovering the energy content of the biomass as a liquid fuel, the recovery of important
inorganic nutrients and especially phosphate, which is a very limited global resource, is of key
importance. HTL allow separation of phosphate in a bioavailable form as opposed to pyrolysis or
incineration processes.
An example of implementation in Denmark :
If we assume that Denmark would start to use biomass including waste biomass for applications where
the carbon content is needed and stop the inefficient use of biomass for low value energy generation
such as heat, it would be straight forward to get access to 10 mill ton annually (Sewage sludge, MSW,
KEF, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 231: Henvendelse af 11/2-20 fra Ib Johannsen om bæredygtige brændstoffer
waste wood, garden waste, straw and other industrial/agricultural sidestreams). Danish society is
presently burning 8Mt biomass for heating purposes.
10 million ton (10Mt) biomass could be converted to 3.5 Mt biocrude, which could be upgraded to 3Mt
fuel corresponding to 132 PJ of liquid fuel (Transport fuel Jet and shipping). Upgrading and process
energy would be approximately 45PJ (less than the present production of wind energy).
3 Mt liquid fuel produced by non biobased feeds Power2x (CO2 capture or ammonia) would require 480
PJ. Utilizing 1/10 of the saved electrical energy for heat pumps it would produce more than the district
heating use today.
In addition the above HTL, Wetox and Upgrading process would produce approximately 50 PJ excess
heat. Assuming ‘green’ electricity, the fuel replacement would reduce the net CO2 emissions by more
than 9 Mt (25% of national CO2 emissions), and provide at least 3000 permanent jobs. In addition it
would contribute to solving numerous challenges with WWT, MST and nutrient recovery.
References
[1] Larsen et al Possibilities for near-term bioenergy production and GHG-mitigation through
sustainable intensification of agriculture and forestry in Denmark, Environ. Res. Lett. 12 (2017)
114032
[2] https://www.iea.org/reports/tracking-transport-2019/transport-biofuels#abstrac
[3] Sierk de Jong Green Horizons,On the production costs, climate impact and future supply of
renewable jet fuels, 2018, Copernicus Inst.of Sustainable Dev Utrecht Univ.
ISBN: 978-90-8672-081-1
[4] D.W Keith et al. A Process for Capturing CO2 from the Atmosphere, Joule vol 2, Issue 8, 15
2018, 1573-1594, and results from the EUDP project on katalytic upgrading of biogas.
[5] H. Er-rbib et al. Production of synthetic gasoline and diesel fuel from dry reforming of methane
Energy Procedia 29 ( 2012 ) 156 – 165
[6] F. Pierie et al, Improving the Sustainability of Farming Practices through the Use of a Symbiotic
Approach for Anaerobic Digestion and Digestate Processing. Resources 2017, 6, 50;
[7] Please note that the efficiencies for HTL to biocrude are based on Bio2oil’s present engineering
design. (Similar - slightly lower values - can be found in the literature, e.g. [3])
[8] These processes contain to varying degree Power2X conversion
KEF, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 231: Henvendelse af 11/2-20 fra Ib Johannsen om bæredygtige brændstoffer