As fossil energy sources are depleting and their combustion releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, it is important to develop so-called clean-fossil fuel. Biomass waste, which does not compete with food supplies, can be used for this purpose. This can, for instance, be co-fired in power plants. The CO2 released in the process will be captured or even converted into useful products as part of 'clean fossil'.
Connecting character
This question combines many subquestions of both a fundamental and an applied nature around a biomass chain based on biomass that does not compete with agriculture, where the CO2 released is used as a feedstock. The fundamental questions concern new methods for biomass transformation. The question of temporary CO2 storage and of CO2 as a feedstock also requires fundamental scientific research. In addition, there are many applied questions how new processes can be converted into a practical working chain design. The significance of new chains for the biobased economy requires evaluations at different scales. What are the positive and negative effects on the environment? Possible displacement effects will also have to be critically examined.
