From biowaste to “biogold”
Julio Friedmann, chief scientist at Carbon Direct, discusses the complex role of biomass in decarbonization, distinguishing between waste biomass (forestry, agricultural, and municipal solid waste) and dedicated crops. He outlines various conversion technologies, including gasification for hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), pyrolysis for biochar, and incineration for electricity, while highlighting startups like Charm Industrial and Running Tide pursuing Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS). Friedmann argues that at sufficient carbon prices, sequestering carbon via BiCRS is more valuable than energy production, though he acknowledges the risks of eco-colonialism and the need for standardized global biomass markets.