Negative Emission Technologies

Negative emission technologies (NET) refer to methods/technologies that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere with the aim of permanent CO₂ storage. In addition to drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, NETs are also needed to achieve the climate target of “well below 2 °C.” In addition to permanent storage, atmospheric CO₂ can also be used to defossilize raw materials such as chemicals and fuels. In this case, the term carbon capture and usage (CCU) is used.

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, we are working on NET and CCU in the context of renewable energy systems. Both the NET method Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) and Bio Energy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) use biomass to generate usable energy in the form of heat and electricity in addition to acting as a CO₂ sink. In the case of Direct Air Capture Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS), heat and electricity are required for CO₂ sink performance. These are therefore technologies that must be considered in the context of future renewable energy systems. The institute is active at both the systemic and experimental levels and supports its partners with R&D services.

Our R&D services include:

• Direct air capture plant design and coupling with electrolysis to produce basic materials such as methanol
• Direct air capture adsorber material characterization and process optimization
• System analyses based on REMod – NET technologies as part of renewable energy systems
• Functionalization of biogenic carbons for various applications such as biochar application in soils or plastics
• Life cycle assessment of negative emission technologies and CCU (e.g., sink efficiency, biomass efficiency, impact on ecosystems and land use)
• System integration of heat generation and NET technologies for heat supply to neighborhoods and industry
• Aging of materials containing biogenic carbons