Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is a crucial technology for achieving net-zero emissions in the global environment, as underscored by the International Energy Agency's climate change models, which suggest that at least 2 Gt CO
2 per year removal by BECCS should be implemented by 2050 to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C (IEA, 2009; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019). This study proposes a supply chain model for BECCS in Iowa, utilizing the state's unique agricultural and geological resources to address the need for sustainable and scalable carbon-negative energy solutions. Our approach utilizes advanced feedstock optimization, and innovative carbon capture innovations, based on Iowa's potential for bioenergy production and CO2 sequestration. Iowa's rich biomass resources and suitable geological formations provide an exceptional opportunity for BECCS deployment. Researchers have identified Iowa as having significant potential for underground carbon dioxide storage, indicating that the state's geological formations could safely sequester substantial amounts of CO
2. However, optimizing the supply chain to balance economic viability and environmental sustainability is a significant challenge. Our model builds upon the Roads to Removal biorefinery logistics model to evaluate the economic viability of BECCS. Distinctively, our model is developed using the Julia programming language, renowned for its high-performance capabilities in technical computing, and utilizes comprehensive data from the US Billion Ton reports, ensuring an accurate and robust foundation for analysis. Key to our model is the advanced analysis of biomass feedstocks, utilizing optimization algorithms to determine the most efficient and sustainable combinations for bioenergy production.
The research develops a nuanced model that accurately outlines biorefinery operations, their feedstock preferences, and the bioenergy products they produce. This model utilizes data from the US Billion Ton Reports to ensure optimal feedstock utilization without compromising sustainable limits. It is designed to achieve a minimum of 60% of Iowa's potential for carbon sequestration, utilizing biorefinery configurations that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Through strategic resource use and severe constraints, our approach aligns economic viability with environmental sustainability, balancing bioenergy production with the goal of maximizing carbon sequestration efficiency. Our research underscores the critical role of innovative supply chain models in achieving sustainable bioenergy production and effective carbon management, highlighting Iowa's potential as a leader in BECCS deployment and that motivates the further research.
