Managing variable renewables with biomass in the European electricity system: Emission targets and investment preferences

Mariliis Lehtveer,Mathias Fridahl

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2020.118786

Mariliis Lehtveer, Mathias Fridahl

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118786

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Abstract

Biomass can help reaching climate goals in many sectors. In electricity generation it can complement variable renewables or, if coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS), also provide negative emissions. This paper adds to the existing literature by focusing on the cost-efficiency of balancing variable renewables with biomass and by providing an indication on acceptance of these technologies. A dynamic optimization model is used to analyse the role of biomass in the European electricity system pending different emission targets for 2050. The results are compared with survey data on investment preferences for biomass technologies, and wind and solar power. The formulation of the emission target greatly influences the cost-efficient use of biomass, with more concentrated use observed, if bioenergy with CCS is allowed. This indicates that a Europe-wide emission target could be more cost-efficient than separate national targets. Both governmental and nongovernmental actors tend to be negative towards investing in biomass technologies, although with greater variation if combined with CCS, indicating possible challenges for implementation. Their attitudes towards wind and solar power are much more positive in all countries, supporting the continuation of the existing trend of an increasing share of variable renewables in the European electricity system.

Highlights

UN climate policy aims to keep human-induced global warming well below 2 C, aspiring to limit it to 1.5 C
The deployment of BioEnergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in Bulgaria and Romania is an effect of the weather conditions as the region has low wind potential and more diffused solar radiation compared to other southern regions making solar PV less efficient
These regions are best suited for investing in technologies that are most cost-efficient when operated continuously such as BECCS

Summary

Introduction

UN climate policy aims to keep human-induced global warming well below 2 C, aspiring to limit it to 1.5 C. To achieve the 1.5 C target set by the Paris Agreement, global net-negative emissions will likely be needed in the second half of the century, to compensate for the emissions in the first part of the century or for sectors that are difficult to mitigate completely, such as agriculture [2]. In November 2018, the European Commission proposed a new direction for the European climate and energy policy towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 This objective would replace the previous one, to reduce emissions by 80e95%, and is underpinned by possibilities to use negative emission technologies to compensate for a residual from sectors that are hard to decarbonize. The Commission calls for exploring “how biomass can be supplied in a sustainable way while enhancing our natural sink or in combination with carbon capture and storage that both can lead to increased negative emissions” [5]

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