In a recently published report, IEA Bioenergy concludes that the integration of biomass and hydrogen plays a crucial role in achieving climate goals. The analysis, titled "Biomass and Hydrogen: Allies for Net Zero," argues that these two energy carriers should not be viewed as competitors, but as complementary technologies that can significantly improve the efficiency of renewable fuel production.
While biomass and green hydrogen are often presented as separate solutions in policy processes, the IEA Bioenergy report highlights the technical and economic benefits of system integration. The core of the synergy lies in combining the biogenic carbon from biomass with the energy content of green hydrogen.
More efficient use of biogenic carbon
A limiting factor in the transition to a fossil-free chemical industry is the availability of renewable carbon. Biomass is currently the most accessible renewable source of carbon, which is essential for the production of liquid transportation fuels and chemical building blocks.
In conventional biomass conversion processes, such as gasification or fermentation, a significant portion of the carbon is lost as CO₂ emissions. The IEA report describes how adding external green hydrogen optimizes this process:
- Carbon bonding: By adding hydrogen to the process, the released CO₂ can be directly converted into additional fuel or chemicals. This allows the carbon present in the biomass to be almost fully utilized.
- Production increase: The integration of hydrogen can increase the yield of end products from the same amount of biomass by a factor of two or three.
- Land use: The higher efficiency per unit of raw material reduces the pressure on available biomass and required land area.
Application in Dutch industrial clusters
The findings are directly relevant to Dutch regions such as the ports of Rotterdam and Terneuzen. These industrial clusters are developing infrastructure for both hydrogen and biofuel processing.
The synergy is particularly important for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green methanol. In these clusters, biogenic CO₂ from industrial processes or waste incineration can be combined with hydrogen via 'Power-to-X' technologies to produce liquid energy carriers.
Economic preconditions and climate impact
Despite the technical advantages, the report emphasizes that large-scale rollout depends on specific preconditions. The availability of large quantities of renewable electricity at competitive prices is essential for the production of the necessary hydrogen. Without this stable supply, the cost of the end products remains high compared to fossil-based alternatives.
Furthermore, the analysis highlights the role of Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). If the biogenic carbon captured in the chain is ultimately stored instead of emitted, the technology can contribute to achieving negative emissions. This makes the combination of biomass and hydrogen a tool for actively reducing the total CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere.
About the report
The publication "Biomass and Hydrogen: Allies for Net Zero" is the result of an international collaboration between various technology programs of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report serves as a scientific foundation for the further development of integrated energy and resource systems worldwide.
Download the full report here: Biomass and Hydrogen: Allies for Net Zero – IEA Bioenergy
Photo: Yingyaipumi, Adobe Stock
