Chemical Engineering to Aid an Effective Shift Towards Sustainable Low-Carbon Energy Systems: A BECCS Case Study

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is projected to be essential in the global warming mitigation strategy. However, BECCS systems are still in early development. Chemical engineering provides the knowledge for theoretically and experimentally testing innovative technologies to achieve an efficient commercial deployment. Here, a theoretical UK-based BECCS decentralized system producing hydrogen from wooden residue was evaluated using process system engineering methodology to estimate process efficiencies, supply chain environmental impacts, and sustainability performances. The assessment stages involved feedstock evaluation, technology review, process modelling and simulation, lifecycle assessment, and sustainability indicator modelling. The methodology employed revealed that utilizing UK’s domestic wooden residue could yield 1.5 to 8.1 GWh p.a. of fuel hydrogen, while offsetting −1.8 to −3.7 MtCO2 annually, depending on the selected process configuration. Relying solely on these resources and technology would not be sufficient to meet the UK’s carbon offsetting and low-carbon hydrogen generation targets. The system had positive sustainability effects from sustainable feedstock utilization, emission reductions, and renewable energy supply (SDGs 3, 8, 11, 12, 13). Negative impacts on SDGs 7 and 9 due to higher energy prices and insufficient infrastructure were found. These studies are crucial for informing policymakers to effectively plan the low-carbon energy transition.