Using Geothermal-Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Sequestration (BECCS) as an energy source could positively impact the environment, new research has shown.
Karan Titus, UC civil and natural resources engineering PhD student, has investigated this type of energy, and how it can be harnessed to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The BECCS process involves taking hot water from geothermal reservoirs and burning forestry waste to superheat it – generating electricity. The geothermal water is then injected back underground along with the CO2 produced from the burning wood.
“We are creating more clean, renewable energy, while indirectly removing CO2 from the atmosphere," Titus said.
“We can also generate significantly more renewable energy using this process when compared to traditional geothermal power. The BECCS system is also more cost-effective per tonne of CO2 than other common climate change mitigation strategies due to decarbonisation on two...