Open AccessIntegrating Algae with Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (ABECCS) Increases Sustainability
Author(s) -
Beal Colin M.,
Archibald Ian,
Huntley Mark E.,
Greene Charles H.,
Johnson Zackary I.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1002/2017ef000704
Subject(s) - bio energy with carbon capture and storage , environmental science , biomass (ecology) , bioenergy , carbon sequestration , arable land , life cycle assessment , biofuel , greenhouse gas , agriculture , climate change mitigation , waste management , agronomy , ecology , carbon dioxide , production (economics) , biology , engineering , macroeconomics , economics
Bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) has been proposed to reduce atmospheric CO 2 concentrations, but concerns remain about competition for arable land and freshwater. The synergistic integration of algae production, which does not require arable land or freshwater, with BECCS (called “ABECCS”) can reduce CO 2 emissions without competing with agriculture. This study presents a technoeconomic and life‐cycle assessment for colocating a 121‐ha algae facility with a 2,680‐ha eucalyptus forest for BECCS. The eucalyptus biomass fuels combined heat and power (CHP) generation with subsequent amine‐based carbon capture and storage (CCS). A portion of the captured CO 2 is used for growing algae and the remainder is sequestered. Biomass combustion supplies CO 2 , heat, and electricity, thus increasing the range of sites suitable for algae cultivation. Economic, energetic, and environmental impacts are considered. The system yields as much protein as soybeans while generating 61.5 TJ of electricity and sequestering 29,600 t of CO 2 per year. More energy is generated than consumed and the freshwater footprint is roughly equal to that for soybeans. Financial break‐even is achieved for product value combinations that include 1) algal biomass sold for $1,400/t (fishmeal replacement) with a $68/t carbon credit and 2) algal biomass sold for $600/t (soymeal replacement) with a $278/t carbon credit. Sensitivity analysis shows significant reductions to the cost of carbon sequestration are possible. The ABECCS system represents a unique technology for negative emissions without reducing protein production or increasing water demand, and should therefore be included in the suite of technologies being considered to address global sustainability.