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'Carbon-capture trials safest way forward' - Laurens Rademakers, Biopact

Sir, 
Concerning Consultation on carbon-storage risks to be launched, our organisation believes that concerned European citizens have the right to know that there is a safe technology route that dramatically reduces the risks associated with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and that can take use forward towards a genuine low-carbon economy.

CCS techniques are most often discussed within the context of reducing the CO2 emissions of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. By capturing the carbon dioxide gas before it enters the atmosphere and by storing it underground these fuels become 'carbon-neutral' at best, slightly carbon-positive in practise. 

However, CCS techniques can also be applied to the use of biofuels. Biofuels are already carbon-neutral from the start. By capturing and storing their carbon, the energy system becomes radically carbon-negative. According to some researchers, such systems - called 'Bio-Energy with Carbon Storage' (BECS ) - can take us back to pre-industrial CO2 levels by mid-century. BECS effectively takes CO2 out of the carbon cycle; it cleans up our emissions from the past.

BECS is the only feasible carbon-negative energy concept in existence. Moreover, unlike solar or wind power, the solar energy stored in the biomass used in such systems can be transported and traded physically. This advantage allows for the creation of a global biomass market. The biofuels can also be used in existing power plants.

Now if the EU wants to introduce CCS technologies, which still pose several risks and uncertainties, we think it should look at BECS from the very start. The reason is obvious: in a worst-case scenario – the failure of storage and CO2 leakage – the carbon dioxide that would be released would not result in a net increase in emissions (since the CO2 was part of the carbon-neutral biomass in the first place). If leakage were to occur with carbon dioxide originating from fossil fuels, the contrary would be the case. In short, starting CCS trials with biomass is the safest way forward.

Research indicates that both large-scale biofuel production and BECS systems are commercially viable. In CCS systems, the CO2 capture phase is the most expensive step. But when biogas is used, the CO2 can be captured in an efficient and cost-effective way before the gas is combusted. This process is considerably less costly than CO2 capture techniques for fossil fuels. If solid biofuels are used, the CO2 capture techniques and costs are similar to those for coal. Biofuels can be produced locally, or imported from the subtropics and the tropics, where they can be produced in a more efficient way.
Laurens Rademakers
Biopact
Brussels

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