Module 5: Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)
Photosynthesis has been the driving force behind many of our previously studied negative emissions technology, but here we take that biomass and utilize somehow, either burning it to produce power while capturing and storing the CO2 released, or heating it up without oxygen to produce a soil-enhancing rock-like material called biochar.
High Flyer
Catalyst Podcast
On this podcast, Julio Friedmann gives an overview of how biomass can be used for durable carbon removal, with info on potential feedstocks and CDR pathways.
Podcast - 41 min
Climate Student
2. Inside Charm Industrial’s big bet on corn stalks for carbon removal
MIT Technology Review
Charm Industrial is the startup that still today has delivered the largest quantity of carbon removal using a biomass approach in which they produce and sequester bio-oil. Read about their story here.
Article - 20 min
3. Carbo Culture - Biochar at Scale
This is CDR
Biochar is another well-known pathway for durable biomass carbon removal, and this interview with the CEO of CarboCulture will cover some of the basics.
Video - 60 min
4. Introduction to Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy
BECCS comes with a slew of potential risks, societal costs, and environmental justice concerns, so thinking through how to implement it at large scale is very important. This webinar brings together biomass experts Dan Sanchez, Meron Tesfaye, and Sam Savitz to give a detailed introduction.
Video - 58 min
5. A stealth effort to bury wood for carbon removal has just raised millions
MIT Technology Review
Another pathway for biomass carbon removal involves trying to preserve the biomass rather than thermally converting it to a more durable form. Kodama is trying to do this with wood from forests.
Article - 15 min
Climate Master
6. Carboniferous Frontier Application
Frontier Github
Frontier publishes the applications of all companies that apply to their purchase program. This is the extended application of a company called Carboniferous, that plans to sink terrestrial biomass into hypersaline anoxic basins, preventing its degradation.
Website - 60 min
7. Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Roadmap
ICEF
BiCRS ("bikers") is a new umbrella term being used to describe all carbon removal strategies that utilize biomass for permanent storage. This Jan 2021 roadmap goes into a lot of detail on the complexities of these different strategies and is the ultimate guide to thinking about where we are with biomass CDR. Worth the time investment to give it a read!
Report - 180 min
Ning Zeng and Henry Hausmann
This study aims to develop a concrete way of carrying out wood harvesting and storage (WHS) at large-scale, using a wood storage facility (aka “Wood Vault”) capable of burying “woody” biomass on a mega-tonne scale. Mega, indeed!
Report - 60 min
9. Surveying the BECCS Landscape Report
EFI
In case one long report wasn't enough for you, this detailed BECCS report covers everything from a detailed classification of biomass feedstocks to related industries and supply chain challenges. If you like biomass carbon removal, go through this in detail!
Report - 180 min