Integrated oxy-combustion solutions for flexible, bio-based combined heat and power: A Negative Emissions Technology for a net-zero Europe

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is a highly efficient method for co-generating electricity and heat. With biomass feedstocks, CHP can be considered a renewable source. The capture of CO2 from biomass CHP presents an opportunity for carbon removal, aiding Europe's journey toward negative emissions.Challenges, including supply logistics, feedstock sustainability, and competition with other renewables like wind and solar, must be overcome to achieve cost-effective, low-emission, and decarbonized CHP from solid biomass residues. Additionally, issues like feedstock handling, combustion efficiency, emissions (NOx, SOx, particles), and economic feasibility hinder market development. The BioNETzero project's objective is to significantly advance three oxy-combustion technologies (oxy-MILD, CLC, and oxy-CFB). The project addresses these technical challenges through real-world testing, modelling, and the development of precise digital tools. Comprehensive regional showcase studies conducted by BioNETzero encompass technological, social, environmental, and economic dimensions. These advancements seek synergies with oxygen supply solutions such as cryogenic methods, alignment with the hydrogen economy, and utilization of solid oxygen carriers. Integration with flue gas cleaning and CO2 conditioning processes facilitates carbon removal, enabling the realization of nearly zero-emission biomass heating and biomass CHP systems, including carbon capture. One of BioNETzero's advantages lies in its regional focus, recognizing that deployment obstacles often arise at local levels. The project will assess its suite of solutions in regions in transition across Europe, and propose novel solutions for next generation CHP plants.