Assessment of the Potential for Decarbonization of NG with RNG and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will quantify the potential synergies between renewable natural gas (RNG), natural gas (NG), and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) for decarbonization in the United States, and identify critical research and development needs regarding this potential approach. The blending of RNG produced from biomass feedstocks with NG in existing pipelines can overcome cost barriers of biomass transportation and contribute to NG decarbonization through negative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions achievable with BECCS. The project team will assess the potential of RNG-based BECCS to decarbonize the NG infrastructure by identifying potential RNG conversion locations, quantifying biomass feedstock availability at these locations, and quantifying carbon avoidance potential and cost utilizing the RNG conversion locations. Metrics to be analyzed include potential quantities of CO2 stored and avoided, as well as carbon avoidance cost ($/tonne CO2 avoided) of the combined use of RNG with NG and carbon capture and storage (CCS), from a national perspective. The emphasis of the analysis is on leveraging current NG pipelines to extend spatial and economic reach to biomass/RNG resources (i.e., delivering biomass to gasification within reasonable proximity to gas pipelines, not necessarily to the end user), coupled with opportunities for CCS at both gasification and end-use sites. The analysis will also consider large sources of CO2 for capture and storage that may make BECCS more economical.