BioNET

Funding Agency : DLR // Duration: 2022 - 2024 // PI: Prof. Christoph Mueller, PhD

Negative emission technologies that use biomass and biogenic CO2 (biobased NETs) play a central role in net-zero policy strategies. Embedded in agricultural and forestry supply chains, biobased NETs offer numerous options, but they also compete with biomass material and energy use and therefore face large uncertainties about the feasibility of their deployment. However, the deployment of bio-based NETs in Germany has not yet been evaluated in a coherent and integrated manner, especially from the perspective of local and regional deployment.
The aim of the BioNET (Multi-level assessment of biomass-based NETs) project is to create a comprehensive knowledge base for and assess biobased NETs in Germany by combining novel social science research with state-of-the-art biomass competition modeling and trade-off analysis to support local and national decision makers: (1) we compile transparent and accessible information and data on biobased NET concepts tailored to the information needs of different stakeholders, such as energy utilities or public authorities, (2) we develop novel participatory approaches to explore societal and institutional feasibility, (3) we elaborate and evaluate national biobased NET scenarios, including techno-economic modeling and an assessment of trade-offs with respect to the different Sustainable Development Goals.
As a result, the project identifies the window of opportunity for biobased NETs in Germany and enables decision makers from local to national level as well as researchers to include and prioritize the implementation of biobased NETs in their scenarios and strategies, using appropriate dissemination formats (open data, guidelines, policy briefs, etc.).