Assessing the impact of carbon dioxide removal on the power system

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) will be essential to meet the net zero targets that are integral to meeting the terms of the Paris Agreement. However, their co-deployment will have a substantial impact on the broader energy system, with BECCS providing energy services and DACCS consuming them. Thus, in this contribution, we present a framework for the co-optimization of the power and CDR sectors and apply it to the United Kingdom as a case study. We identify techno-economically and biogeophysically feasible pathways to meeting targets via the deployment of a portfolio of CDR pathways. We find that the main BECCS deployment driver is biomass availability and that planting rates limit forests carbon sinks by 2050. When biomass is abundant, BECCS plays a significant role in meeting the net zero target. Consequently, there is a reduced role for natural gas with CCS and intermittent renewable energy in the context substantial BECCS deployment.