What role will biomass have in future energy systems?

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency states that increased use of sustainably produced biofuels will play a key role in Sweden's transition to net zero emissions. However, there are growing concerns that using biomass, particularly forest raw materials, as an energy source is affecting biodiversity.

"Biomass in the form of forest residues is an important raw material for renewable energy, particularly in the EU, where it accounts for a significant proportion of renewable energy usage. However, we need to find new, more efficient ways of utilising these residues,” says Karin Pettersson, an energy systems researcher at RISE who specialises in the role of biomass in the transition.

She continues:

"There are several ways to increase the use of bound carbon in biomass that would otherwise be emitted. One approach is to address point emissions and address them through bio-CCS, whereby carbon dioxide is captured and stored permanently to create negative emissions. Another option is to convert biomass or captured biogenic carbon dioxide, along with hydrogen gas, into products such as fuels or chemicals."

High demand in the aviation and maritime sectors

The EU's Green Deal initiative aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In this plan, biomass is assigned several functions, ranging from ensuring energy security to limiting climate change. However, biomass is a limited resource. Using residual products more efficiently is one solution, as is prioritising the use of biomass where it will be most effective.

"It's all about identifying where there is a long-term need for green carbon atoms. This includes the aviation sector, among others. Looking at scenarios up to 2050, electrification will only be able to phase out a small proportion of aviation sector emissions,” explains Karin Pettersson.

Other sectors where biomass will be needed in the future include shipping and the chemical industry, where it serves as a sustainable source of carbon for new chemicals and materials. As mentioned above, there is also a need to store carbon in order to achieve net-zero emissions, since eliminating some emissions is difficult and expensive. In the long term, we will even need to achieve net-negative emissions if we are to limit global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

"The question 'What should biomass be used for?' is ultimately a societal issue. However, research can provide analyses of conflicting goals and opportunity costs for different priorities," says Markus Millinger of RISE, who conducts research in energy systems analysis with a focus on energy system modelling.

In a research study published in the journal Nature Energy, Millinger found that, in the long term, the value of carbon atoms from biomass exceeds the value of the energy they contribute. The location of biomass within the energy system is not as important, provided the carbon atoms are utilised and can be reused.

“Is it possible to remove biomass from the energy system?”

'We will need green carbon atoms in the sectors we have mentioned, and we can say with some certainty that we will need to generate negative emissions," says Markus Millinger, continuing:

"The more sustainable biomass we agree to use, the easier the energy transition will be. However, the market alone will not be able to solve this; new regulations and policies will be required at both the national and European levels.”

"Responsibility to share insights"

At RISE, the issue of biomass's place in the future energy system is being approached from many angles. Researchers and experts are investigating the role of biomass in Sweden and Europe over time, developing cutting-edge technology and testing research results and innovations in demonstration and testing environments. RISE also supports companies in developing and scaling up technology for converting biomass and carbon dioxide into products such as chemicals, fuels and materials, which contribute to climate benefits, job creation and economic growth.

"Biomass is a multifaceted subject that often arouses strong feelings. As researchers, we must avoid that in order to describe the system objectively. We also have a responsibility to share our knowledge and insights with all decision-makers in the energy system and biomass sector,” says Markus Millinger.