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Cited by 217Carbon Dioxide Capture TechnologiesClimate Change Policy and EconomicsClimate Change and Geoengineering

The mutual dependence of negative emission technologies and energy systems

Open access
Creutzig, Felix, Breyer, Christian, Hilaire, Jérôme, Minx, Jan, Peters, Glen P., Socolow, Robert·2019·Energy & Environmental Science
DOI 10.1039/c8ee03682a
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Abstract

While a rapid decommissioning of fossil fuel technologies deserves priority, most climate stabilization scenarios suggest that negative emission technologies (NETs) are required to keep global warming well below 2 °C.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This perspective argues that negative emission technologies (NETs) and future energy systems are mutually dependent, with BECCS and DACCS integrating differently into energy supply and demand. It finds DACCS generally requires less primary energy and land per ton CO₂ sequestered than BECCS, but DACCS costs are higher and depend strongly on low-carbon energy and technological learning.

Key findings

  • DACCS outperforms BECCS in primary energy required per ton of carbon sequestered. For 100 EJ primary energy, BECCS in the IAM example yields 6.9 Gt CO₂ sequestration and 21 EJ electricity; a bottom-up model yields 5.6 Gt CO₂ and 14.5 EJ; with land-use change emissions, 4.2 Gt CO₂ and 10.8 EJ. DACCS yields 10.1 Gt CO₂ under IAM/APS assumptions or up to 20 Gt CO₂ under low-temperature DAC assumptions.
  • Sequestration efficiency is reported as 75–100% for DACCS versus 50–90% for BECCS, with lower values possible if indirect land use change is included. Table 2 reports cumulative provisioning emissions as 24.1% of gross sequestration for DACCS liquid sorbent scenario A, 0.4% for scenario B, −2.8% for scenario C, 4.6% for DACCS solid sorbent with PV and geothermal, 10% for BECCS switchgrass without ILUC, and 50% for BECCS forest biomass without ILUC.
  • Costs are higher for DACCS: BECCS is estimated at $100–200 per tCO₂ sequestered, while DACCS typical future costs range from $100–300 per tCO₂ in 2050, with NAS solid-sorbent estimates of $90–250 per tCO₂; current DACCS estimates are mostly above $500 per tCO₂. If DACCS modularity and granularity foster learning to below $100 per tCO₂, it may remove CO₂ at gigaton scale.
  • Land requirements differ sharply: DACCS requires about 1 Mha for 10 Gt CO₂ per year, whereas BECCS requires 400–2400 Mha. In MERGE-ETL scenarios for 2100, BECCS produces 4% of electric and 30% of non-electric energy in the 2°C case, while DACCS consumes 9% of electric and 30% of non-electric energy; in the 1.5°C case, DACCS consumes 12% of electric and 59% of non-electric energy, and BECCS produces 4% of electric and 29% of non-electric energy.

Methods

  • This is a perspective/synthesis, not an experimental study. It compares BECCS and DACCS using integrated assessment model outputs (including MERGE-ETL and WITCH), bottom-up modelling, industry data, and assessments such as the APS and National Academy of Science reports.
  • The paper analyzes metrics including primary energy input per ton CO₂ removed, useful energy output, sequestration efficiency, costs, land requirements, and implications for intermittent renewable energy systems.
  • For DACCS, it runs three decarbonization scenarios (A, B, C) with logistic scale-up to 10 Gt CO₂ per year by 2100, assuming 345 Gt CO₂ cumulative removal and liquid-sorbent energy inputs of 500 kWh (1.8 GJ) electricity and 8.1 GJ heat per tCO₂; solid-sorbent assumptions use E = 1 GJ and H = 4.8 GJ per tCO₂, with PV life-cycle emissions of 48 gCO₂e per kWh.

Limitations

  • The paper states that indirect land use change has not been estimated for BECCS systems, that research on DACCS scale-dependent side-effects is lacking, that DAC contactor spacing is understudied, that CO₂ transport logistics remain unexplored, and that the parameterization of NET utilization/load-hour relationships is not known.
  • It also states there is no agreement on boundaries of analysis for BECCS accounting, making sequestration efficiency and monetary value contested.
  • Evident from the text: as a perspective, it relies on selected models and literature rather than new primary data, and its quantitative results depend on scenario assumptions such as DACCS scale-up rates, energy inputs, and decarbonization trajectories.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1039/c8ee03682a

Cites

62 of 62 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 113 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingnone given

    DACCS may require up to 12% of electric and 60% of non-electric energy in 2100.

    “DACCS technologies enable the filtering of ambient air to then direct CO 2 underground, requiring substantial energy, possibly up to 12% of electric and 60% of non-electric energy in 2100.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    DACCS outperform BECCS in terms of primary energy required per ton of carbon sequestered.

    “DACCS outperform BECCS in terms of primary energy required per ton of carbon sequestered.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “We find that DACCS requires less primary energy per ton CO 2 sequestered compared to BECCS;”
    • Also stated in: § Energy per removed carbon · plain
      “A high-level result from our analysis is that DACCS outperform BECCS in terms of primary energy required per ton of carbon sequestered (Fig. 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Rapid decarbonization of the energy system matters to keep life-cycle emissions of DACCS low.

    “We find that DACCS requires less primary energy per ton CO 2 sequestered compared to BECCS; and that a rapid decarbonization of the energy system matters to keep life-cycle emissions of DACCS low.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In both MERGE-ETL scenarios, the non-electricity part of the energy system is more affected by NETs than electricity.

    “In both scenarios the non-electricity part of the energy system (here liquid fuels, hydrogen and heat) is more affected by NETs than electricity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] source

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  • Findingcitation

    In the MERGE-ETL model, DACCS requires 7.5-8 GJ per tCO2.

    “In the model (MERGE-ETL) of Fig. 2, 37 DACCS requires 7.5-8 GJ per tCO 2 (Table 1);”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 35
  • May combine two claims. 53

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    DACCS requires two magnitudes less land than BECCS.

    “DACCS also requires two magnitudes less land than BECCS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Scaling up 1 Mt per year of any specific NET in 2020 to 1 Gt per year in 2050 requires an average deployment growth rate of 26% sustained for 30 years, adding about 200 Mt CO2 per year of new sequestration capacity in 2050.

    “To put the potential scale of NETs into perspective: scaling up 1 Mt per year of any specific NET in 2020 to 1 Gt per year in 2050, an average deployment growth rate of 26% must be sustained for 30 years, so that in 2050 about 200 Mt CO 2 per year of new sequestration capacity is added.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In the 2°C MERGE-ETL scenario, BECCS produces 4% of electricity and 30% of non-electric energy, while DACCS consumes 9% of electricity and 30% of non-electric energy in 2100.

    “For electricity, 4% of production is from BECCS and 9% of consumption is for DACCS, for non-electric, 30% of production is BECCS and 30% consumption is DACCS.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    DACCS displays a sequestration efficiency of 75-100%, whereas BECCS displays a sequestration efficiency of 50-90% or less if indirect land use change is included.

    “For different assumptions, DACCS displays a sequestration efficiency of 75-100%, whereas BECCS displays a sequestration efficiency of 50-90% or less if indirect land use change is included.”
    • Also stated in: § Perspective Energy & Environmental Science · plain
      “In summary, DACCS system have less net CO 2 emissions associated with their provisioning systems displaying a sequestration efficiency of 75-100%, compared to BECCS displaying a sequestration efficiency of 50-90% with lower values possible.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    BECCS may produce 4% of electric and 30% of non-electric energy in 2100 in some scenarios.

    “BECCS denotes the combustion of biomass with subsequent carbon sequestration underground and, in some scenarios, may produce 4% of electric, and 30% of non-electric energy in 2100.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In the 2°C MERGE-ETL scenario, over the 21st century, 300 Gt CO2 is stored using DACCS and 600 Gt CO2 for BECCS.

    “Over the 21st century, a total of 300 Gt CO 2 is stored using DACCS and 600 Gt CO 2 for BECCS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Carbon prices in 2100 are about $US(2010) 1000 per tCO2 in the 2°C scenario (66% chance) and about $US(2010) 4200 per tCO2 in the 1.5°C scenario (50% chance).

    “The carbon prices in 2100 are about $US(2010) 1000 per tCO 2 in the 2 1C scenario (66% chance) and about $US(2010) 4200 per tCO 2 in the 1.5 1C scenario (50% chance).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In the 1.5°C MERGE-ETL scenario, 12% of 600 EJ/year electric energy is consumed by DACCS and 4% produced by BECCS; 59% of 350 EJ/year non-electric energy is consumed by DACCS and 29% produced by BECCS.

    “With 600 EJ per year electric energy 12% is consumed by DACCS, 4% produced by BECCS; of 350 EJ per year non-electric energy 59% is consumed by DACCS and 29% produced by BECCS.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is unclear whether the PV case translates into similar opportunities for technology-intensive NETs such as BECCS and DACCS.

    “Yet, given the lack of incentives for innovation and deployments and the plant-scale nature of many NETs it is unclear whether the PV case translates into similar opportunities for technology-intensive NETs, such as BECCS and DACCS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Current research on NETs has come from two main strands: technology-focused studies and integrated assessment models.

    “Current research on NETs has come from two main strands: technology-focused studies that explore specific technical configurations, and integrated assessment models that investigate NETs in the context of global and long-term climate change mitigation.[3][4][5]”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [3] source

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    • cites [4] source

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    • cites [5] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Biomass requirements for BECCS can reach up to 190 EJ per year in 2050 and 300 EJ per year in 2100 in 2°C scenarios, and 300 EJ per year in 2050 and 400 EJ per year in 2100 in some 1.5°C scenarios.

    “This evidence shows that BECCS can impact the energy system significantly: biomass requirements for BECCS can reach up to 190 EJ per year in 2050 and 300 EJ per year in 2100 in 2 1C scenarios, and 300 EJ per year in 2050 and 400 EJ per year in 2100 in some 1.5 1C scenarios.20,21”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [20]

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    • cites [21]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Up until near complete decarbonization, any single investment into wind and solar associated with decommissioning coal plants will be preferable to NETs, because it is cheaper and offers health benefits.

    “Up until near complete decarbonization any single investment into wind and solar -if associated with decommissioning of coal plantswill be preferable to NETs, because it is cheaper, and also offers improvements in the well-being of many by reducing air pollution and improving health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Large bioenergy deployments require very large commitments of land and may come with significant social impacts (e.g. food prices) and environmental impacts (e.g. land and water impacts).

    “Such large bioenergy deployments require very large commitments of land and may come with significant social impacts (e.g.food prices) and environmental impacts (e.g., land and water impacts).[22][23][24]”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [22] source

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    • cites [23]

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    • cites [24]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If DACCS modularity and granularity helps to foster technological learning to below 100$ per tCO2, DACCS may remove CO2 at gigaton scale.

    “Carbon dioxide removal costs of DACCS are considerably higher than BECCS, but if DACCS modularity and granularity helps to foster technological learning to o100$ per tCO 2 , DACCS may remove CO 2 at gigaton scale.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    BECCS may provide carbon-negative energy.

    “bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), -defined as biomass for energy production associated with captured and stored CO 2 emissions -that may provide carbon-negative energy 7”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    There is an argument to advance the rapid phase out of fossil fuels and the market development of NETs simultaneously.

    “Hence, there is an argument to advance the rapid phase out of fossil fuels and the market development of NETs simultaneously.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    It would be too late starting only then to invest into NETs needed to compensate residual emissions from agriculture or aviation, because innovation cycle and technological development takes decades.

    “Nonetheless, it would be too late starting only then to invest into NETs needed to compensate residual emissions from agriculture or aviation, because innovation cycle and technological development takes decades.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Environmental burden will largely depend on land use requirements, especially for BECCS.

    “Environmental burden will largely depend on land use requirements, especially for BECCS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    DACCS may enable considerable flexibility in siting near energy sources or storage sites.

    “It may enable considerable flexibility in siting near energy sources or storage sites.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    DACCS requires significant amounts of energy to move the air and to cycle the sorbent, and there is substantial embedded energy in the physical structures.

    “DACCS requires significant amounts of energy to move the air and to cycle the sorbent, and there is substantial embedded energy in the physical structures.8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Biomass that captures carbon is a versatile energy source and can be used to produce electricity, transport fuels, and hydrogen.

    “The biomass that captures the carbon is a versatile energy source.It can be used to produce a variety of final energy carriers, including electricity, transport fuels, and hydrogen.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Some scenarios can achieve net-zero using afforestation and reforestation only for NETs, but consequent land impacts can exceed land impacts of BECCS, and certainly DAC.

    “While some scenarios can achieve net-zero using afforestation and reforestation only for NETs, the consequent impacts on land can exceed the land impacts of BECCS, and certainly DAC. 14”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Biofuels can in principle enable low-carbon aviation or freight transport if other mitigation options fail.

    “For instance, biofuels can, in principle, enable low-carbon aviation or freight transport, if other mitigation options fail.18”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    To meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, humanity would need to decarbonize the global economy and may also need to adopt NETs as an economically attractive mitigation option.

    “To meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, humanity would not only need to decarbonize the global economy, but may also need to adopt negative emission technologies (NETs) as an economically attractive mitigation option.1,2”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] source

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    • cites [2]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Some studies argue that low energy demand and rapid scale-up of renewable energy can deliver ambitious climate mitigation targets without engineered NETs like BECCS and DAC.

    “While some studies argue that low energy demand and rapid scale-up of renewable energy can deliver ambitious climate mitigation targets without engineered NETs like BECCS and DAC, 12,13”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [12] source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Detailed energy-system modelling with high temporal, spatial, and technological resolution is crucial to anticipate barriers and initiate a transition pathway to accommodate NETs.

    “To understand NETs deployment, detailed energysystem modelling with high temporal, spatial, and technological resolution is crucial to anticipate barriers and initiate a transition pathway 6 of the energy system to accommodate NETs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    BECCS has been the first NET widely taken up in integrated assessment models and shows some appealing characteristics.

    “BECCS has been the first NET widely taken up in integrated assessment models 4 and shows some appealing characteristics.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The global dynamics of land use change indicate a scarcity of land availability for bioenergy, and problematic competition with food.

    “In fact, the global dynamics of land use change indicate a scarcity of land availability for bioenergy, 23,34 and problematic competition with food.61”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [23]

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    • cites [34]

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    • cites [61]

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    There is no agreement on boundaries of analysis, and hence the sequestration efficiency and resulting monetary value is contested.

    “There is no agreement on boundaries of analysis, and hence the sequestration efficiency and resulting monetary value is contested.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Biomass production would benefit from increases in yields and improvements in harvesting and transport, which would reduce the very high land requirements of BECCS.

    “Biomass production would benefit from increases in yields and improvements in harvesting and transport, which would reduce the very high land requirements of BECCS (Fig. 1 and Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    BECCS costs would initially fall as the technology matures, and rise again as underlying land scarcity becomes increasingly relevant.

    “As a result, BECCS costs would initially fall as the technology matures, and rise again as underlying land scarcity becomes increasingly relevant.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    DACCS is a modular technology that may be implemented in diverse settings and hence is most likely subject to considerable cost reductions.

    “In contrast, DACCS is a modular technology that may be implemented in diverse setting and hence is most likely subject to considerable cost reductions.5,55”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] source

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    • cites [55]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The location of both DACCS and BECCS facilities will be limited by access to CO2 storage infrastructure, biomass supply (BECCS), and energy supply (DACCS).

    “The location of both DACCS and BECCS facilities will both be limited by access to CO 2 storage infrastructure, biomass supply (BECCS), and energy supply (DACCS).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is not only a question of technological development to decrease bioenergy lifecycle emissions, but also of regulation to ensure strict system boundaries and reliable accounting of bioenergy emissions.

    “It is hence not only a question of technological development to decrease bioenergy lifecycle emissions, but also of regulation to ensure strict system boundaries and reliable accounting of bioenergy emissions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    DACCS can offer high accountability as all CO2 is captured on site and can be easily measured.

    “DACCS can offer high accountability as all CO 2 is captured on site and can be easily measured.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Leakage is not widely perceived as a major hurdle to safe and permanent storage, but requires enormous investments and vast improvements in specific research and design to scale up underground storage at gigaton scale.

    “Leakage it is not widely perceived as a major hurdle to safe and permanent storage, 3 but require enormous investments and vast improvements in specific research and design to scale up underground storage at gigaton scale.38”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] source

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    • cites [38]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    WITCH assumes 9.9 GJ per tCO2 for DACCS, falling within the range of 6.7-22.7 GJ per tCO2 reported in an overview study.

    “Another integrated assessment model, WITCH, assumes 9.9 GJ per tCO 2 for DACCS, relying on the values calculated in the DAC assessment of the American Physical Society, 8 falling well within the range of 6.7-22.7 GJ per tCO 2 reported in an overview study (Table 1).22,[30][31][32]35”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [8]

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    • cites [22] source

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    • cites [30]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    All bioenergy that can be sourced sustainably (about 100 EJ primary energy) could be allocated to BECCS, so that about 4.2-5.6 Gt CO2 per year could be sequestered.

    “Plausibly, all bioenergy that can be sourced sustainably (about 100 EJ 3,25 primary energy) could be allocated to BECCS, so that about 4.2-5.6Gt CO 2 per year could be sequestered (reflecting losses in energy and CO 2 in along different steps in the process).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] source

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    • cites [25] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies of DACCS fall into two groups depending on regeneration temperature: APS aqueous low-cost sorbents at ~900°C estimate 9.9 GJ/tCO2; solid sorbents at 70-95°C report 4.7-10.0 GJ/tCO2.

    “The studies fall into two groups, depending on the temperature required to regenerate the sorbent: the APS assessment 8,29 explores aqueous solutions of low-cost sorbents, with (desorption typically working at 900 1C) and estimate 9.9 GJ per tCO 2 ; papers bearing on work by Climeworks, Global Thermostat and Antecy rely on solid sorbents (desorption typically working at 70-95 1C), reporting a slig”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8]

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    • cites [29]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Low costs have been demonstrated for BECCS with ethanol fermentation (US$20 to 175 per tCO2) and for favorable location/logistics.

    “This story is commonly told in integrated assessment models, and is supported by low costs that have been demonstrated for BECCS with ethanol fermentation (US$20 to 175 per tCO 2 ) and for favorable location/logistics.3”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    NET accountability and verification of the sequestered CO2 is an important issue from an investor's perspective, requiring a degree of certainty in amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere.

    “Ignored in cost-based modelling of NETs, accountability is an important issue from an investor's perspective, requiring a degree of certainty in amount of CO 2 removed from the atmosphere.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Lower capital costs and less efficient BECCS facilities may be preferable, operating at constant rates of input, removing CO2 from the atmosphere at constant rates, and dispatching electricity on an as-needed basis.

    “As a result, lower capital costs and less efficient BECCS facilities may be preferable, operating at constant rates of input, removing CO 2 from the atmosphere at constant rates, and dispatching electricity on an as-needed basis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    DACCS would profit from a low-cost low-carbon energy system (e.g. based mostly or entirely on renewable sources coupled with low-cost battery and/or heat storage).

    “DACCS would also profit from a low-cost low-carbon energy system (e.g. based mostly or entirely on renewable sources coupled with low-cost battery and/or heat storage).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Utilization rate and load hours of NET facilities crucially depend on the energy system, and they determine the amortization of capital costs and hence economic feasibility.

    “First, utilization rate and load hours of NET facilities crucially depend on the energy system, and they determine the amortization of capital costs and hence economic feasibility.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In that case, BECCS systems might be heavily underutilized in terms of electricity generation, and recuperation of their capital costs becomes more challenging.

    “In that case, BECCS systems might be heavily underutilized in terms of electricity generation, and recuperation of their capital costs becomes more challenging.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    BECCS at the scale of 10 Gt CO2 per year would require several 100 Mha for biomass production, causing increasing conflict with food production and biodiversity.

    “BECCS at the scale of 10 Gt CO 2 per year would require several 100 Mha for biomass production, causing increasing conflict with food production and biodiversity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In a renewable-electricity-based energy system, DACCS would sequester CO2 efficiently with straightforward verification and high reliability, improving the economic case for DACCS.

    “In a renewableelectricity-based energy system, DACCS would sequester CO 2 efficiently with straightforward verification and high reliability, improving the economic case for DACCS.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    DAC is modular and scalable, enabling possibly technological learning similar to comparable technologies, such as electrolysers, battery systems and reverse osmosis desalination plants.

    “This story is plausible as DAC is modular and scalable, enabling possibly technological learning similar to comparable technologies, such as electrolysers, battery systems and reverse osmosis desalination plants.66,67”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [66]

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    • cites [67]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Logistics of CO2 transport facility remains unexplored and could become part of the cost floor.

    “Logistics of CO 2 transport facility remains unexplored and could become part of the cost floor.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This view contrasts with the messages from integrated assessment models, and more detailed fine-grained energy system analysis is required to resolve these conflicts.

    “This view contrasts with the messages from integrated assessment models, and more detailed fine-grained energy system analysis is required to resolve these conflicts.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    DACCS configurations could be fired by thermal energy from gas or by electricity from a grid that is only partially decarbonized.

    “DACCS configurations could be fired by thermal energy from gas or by electricity from a grid that is only partially decarbonized.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    To recover the high capital costs of both technologies, it is desirable that they can be run close to base load, generating income from sequestered CO2.

    “To recover the high capital costs of both technologies, it is desirable that they can be run close to base load, generating income from sequestered CO 2 .43”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Negative-emission technologies emerge as a crucial cornerstone of forward-looking energy systems research.

    “Negative-emission technologies emerges as a crucial cornerstone of forward-looking energy systems research.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    As BECCS is scaled up, its costs will experience significant upward cost pressures from very high land requirements, carbon sequestration verification problems; also the limited potential for technological learning severely constrains a BECCS-dominated NET-energy system.

    “We argue that as BECCS is scaled up, its costs will experience significant upward cost pressures from very high land requirements, carbon sequestration verification problems; also the limited potential for technological learning severely constrains a BECCS-dominated NET-energy system.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Sequestration by DACCS is straight-forward to account.

    “Sequestration by DACCS is straight-forward to account.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Efficient BECCS requires large-scale powerplants with few opportunities for technological learning; DACCS is modular and costs are mostly in technology, enabling rapid learning with deployment.

    “Efficient BECCS requires large-scale powerplants with few opportunities for technological learning; DACCS is modular and costs are mostly in technology (including electricity generation technology), enabling rapid learning with deployment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Biomass and/or CCS based systems show lower energy-return-on-investments than solar and wind, resulting in lower net energy availability.

    “Biomass and/or CCS based systems also show lower energy-returnon-investments than solar and wind, resulting in lower net energy availability.72”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [72]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    BECCS net sequestration depends on the direct and indirect life-cycle effects of biomass used, is very variable, and subject to dispute.

    “BECCS net sequestration depends on the direct and indirect life-cycle effects of biomass used, is very variable, and subject to dispute.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    BECCS sequestration efficiency depends strongly on the consequential life-cycle emissions of the feedstock, including the indirect land use implications of converting land to biomass production for energy and the efficiency of the BECCS plants.

    “Instead, the sequestration efficiency depends strongly on the consequential life-cycle emissions of the feedstock, including the indirect land use implications of converting land to biomass production for energy 25,51 and the efficiency of the BECCS plants.75”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [25] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [51]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [75]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A rapid decarbonization reduces both the dependency on NETs to stay below desired temperatures and their efficiency.

    “A rapid decarbonization reduces hence both the dependency on NETs to stay below desired temperatures and their efficiency.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    Sustainable BECCS deployment in region 3-5 Gt CO2 per year.

    “Sustainable BECCS deployment in region 3-5 Gt CO 2 per year.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Thermodynamic limits and associated energy constraints have been argued to limit cost declines of DAC.

    “Indeed, thermodynamic limits and associated energy constraints have been argued to limit cost declines of DAC.64”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [64]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The amount of energy required to build the BECCS and DACCS infrastructures as well as that necessary to sustain biomass production and the transport of bioenergy are considered small relative to the values presented in Fig 2.

    “The amount of energy required to build the BECCS and DACCS infrastructures as well as that necessary to sustain biomass production and the transport of bioenergy are not considered in this figure but are considered small relative to the values presented here.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    DACCS has high capital costs and high energy input, and would therefore benefit from full utilization (operating close to base load conditions) and low energy prices.

    “DACCS has high capital costs and high energy input, and would therefore benefit from full utilization (operating close to base load conditions) and low energy prices.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The electricity component could be delivered by PV and battery electric storage and the heat component either by geothermal energy and heat pumps driven by electricity or by other heat storage, e.g. in stones or molten sand, possibly coupled with concentrated solar power.

    “The electricity component could be delivered by PV and battery electric storage and the heat component either by geothermal energy and heat pumps driven by electricity or by other heat storage, e.g. in stones or molten sand, possibly coupled with concentrated solar power.65”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Current estimates of BECCS are <$200 per tCO2 while current estimates of DACCS are mostly above $500 per tCO2.

    “Current estimates of BECCS are o$200 per tCO 2 while current estimates of DACCS are mostly above $500 per tCO 2 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    If PV-based systems generate cheap energy in such abundance as to require only modest contributions from other energy sources, the energy component of BECCS may become increasingly irrelevant, and technology can focus on safely sequestering biomass below ground, essentially turning BECCS into BCCS.

    “If PV-based systems generate cheap energy in such abundance as to require only modest contributions from other energy sources, the energy component of BECCS may become increasingly irrelevant, and technology can focus on safely sequestering biomass below ground, essentially turning BECCS into BCCS -biomass carbon capture and storage.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The parameterization of these relationships is currently not known.

    “However, the parameterization of these relationships is currently not known.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    While renewable-based electricity cost increases with load hours, efficiency gains at full utilization of DACCS facilities compensate for these higher costs.

    “Importantly, while renewable-based electricity cost increases with load hoursreflecting the challenge to manage variable availability of renewable energy sources -efficiency gains at full utilization of DACCS facilities compensate for these higher costs.73”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [73]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    BECCS systems that generate fuel instead of electricity may be valuable in decarbonizing sectors that are otherwise very costly, such as aviation, but generate very few negative emissions.

    “BECCS systems that generate fuel instead of electricity may be valuable in decarbonizing sectors that are otherwise very costly, such as aviation, but generate very few negative emissions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    10 Gt CO2 removal via BECCS might require 5-29% of the world's productive land, with lower values achieved with the use of the most productive land.

    “For example, 10 Gt CO 2 removal via BECCS might require 5-29% of the world's productive land, with lower values achieved with the use of the most productive land.22,24,[34][35][36]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [22] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [24]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies suggest that PV/battery systems and electrification of other sectors could act as the backbone of a future energy system, even as marginal costs increase as 100% penetration is approached.

    “Recent studies suggest that PV/battery systems and electrification of other sectors could act as the backbone of a future energy system, 16,69,70 even as marginal costs increase as 100% penetration is approached.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [16]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [69]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [70]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    DACCS at the scale of 10 Gt CO2 per year possible in principle.

    “DACCS at the scale of 10 Gt CO 2 per year possible in principle.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    For BECCS, income from energy is small compared to CDR income.

    “for BECCS, income from energy is small compared to CDR income.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    PV and battery costs decline rapidly; biomass input costs remain more constant.

    “PV and battery costs decline rapidly; biomass input costs remain more constant (could decline with higher yields, but could also increase with higher land prices), and for BECCS, income from energy is small compared to CDR income.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
75 of 75

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Indirect land use change has not been estimated for BECCS systems.

    “To our best understanding ILUC has not been estimated for BECCS systems.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Technological learning is relevant for both BECCS and DACCS.

    “Technological learning is relevant for both technologies.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    For BECCS, the highest efficiency in the combustion process is achieved in large thermal power plants, leaving little potential for improvement by modular design.

    “For BECCS the highest efficiency in the combustion process is achieved in large thermal power plants, leaving little potential of improvement by modular design.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The spacing of DAC contactors requires consideration of the replenishment of the CO2 in the air downstream and to the sides, analogous to the spacing of wind turbines to avoid negative effects of wakes.

    “The spacing of DAC contactors requires consideration of the replenishment of the CO 2 in the air downstream and to the sides, analogous to the spacing of wind turbines to avoid negative effects of wakes; this is an understudied area.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Both BECCS and DACCS suffer from the same risks associated with leakage of carbon from storage sites.

    “Both BECCS and DACCS suffer from the same risks associated with leakage of carbon from storage sites.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is no agreement on boundaries of analysis, and hence the sequestration efficiency and resulting monetary value is contested.

    “There is no agreement on boundaries of analysis, and hence the sequestration efficiency and resulting monetary value is contested.”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Direct air capture requires little land and has minimal negative environmental impacts.

    “While this direct air capture (DAC) approach faces technical hurdles, it requires little land and has, according to current understanding, minimal negative environmental impacts [152].”

    From Tackling climate change with machine learning (2023) · cites this paper as [152]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • DACCS sequestration-efficiency range excludes Scenario C

    Minor

    The stated DACCS range tops out at 100%, but Table 2 reports Scenario C emissions of −2.8% of gross sequestration. That implies net sequestration of 102.8% of gross sequestration.

  • Rapid decarbonization is said to both reduce and improve NET efficiency

    Minor

    The first statement says rapid decarbonization reduces NET efficiency. The second says less decarbonization imposes an efficiency penalty, implying that rapid decarbonization improves it.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 14

  1. R. Socolow , M.Desmond , R.Aines , J.Blackstock , O.Bolland , T.Kaarsberg , N.Lewis , M.Mazzotti , A.Pfeffer and K.Sawyer , et al. , A Technology Assessment for the APS Panel on Public Affairs , 2011
  2. P. Smith , M.Bustamante , H.Ahammad , H.Clark , H.Dong , E. A.Elsiddig , H.Haberl , R.Harper , J.House , M.Jafari , O.Masera , C.Mbow , N. H.Ravindranath , C. W.Rice , C.Robledo Abad , A.Romanovskaya , F.Sperling and F.Tubiello , in Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , ed. O. Edenhofer , R. Pichs-Madruga , Y. Sokona , E. Farahani , S. Kadner , K. Seyboth , A. Adler , I. Baum , S. Brunner , P. Eickemeier , B. Kriemann , J. Savolainen , S. Schlömer , C. von Stechow , T. Zwickel and J. C. Minx , Cambridge University Press , Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA , 2014
  3. L. Clarke , K.Jiang , K.Akimoto , M.Babiker , G.Blanford , K.Fisher-Vanden , J.-C.Hourcade , V.Krey , E.Kriegler , A.Löschel , D.McCollum , S.Paltsev , S.Rose , P. R.Shukla , M.Tavoni , B.van der Zwaan and D. P.van Vuuren , in Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , ed. O. Edenhofer , R. Pichs-Madruga , Y. Sokona , E. Farahani , S. Kadner , K. Seyboth , A. Adler , I. Baum , S. Brunner , P. Eickemeier , B. Kriemann , J. Savolainen , S. Schlömer , C. von Stechow , T. Zwickel and J. C. Minx , Cambridge University Press , Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA , 2014
  4. Rogelj, 2018, Nat. Clim. Change, 1
  5. van Vuuren, 2018, Nat. Clim. Change, 1
  6. Brethomé, 2018, Nat. Energy, 1
  7. E. Ping , M.Sakwa-Novak and P.Eisenberger , Global Thermostat Low Cost Direct Air Capture Technology , Gothenburg, Sweden , 2018
  8. T. Roestenberg , Design Study Report – ANTECY solar fuels development , Antecy , Hoevelaken, the Netherlands , 2016
  9. J. Wurzbacher , Capturing CO2 from Air, 3rd Carbon Dioxide Utilization Summit , Bremen , 2014
  10. E. National Academies of Sciences, Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2018
  11. A. Lehtilä and T.Koljonen , Limiting Global Warming to Well Below 2 °C: Energy System Modelling and Policy Development , Springer , 2018 , pp. 33–49
  12. C. Breyer , M.Fasihi and A.Aghahosseini , CO2 Direct Air Capture for effective Climate Change Mitigation: A new Type of Energy System Sector Coupling , Gothenburg, Sweden , 2018
  13. Bauer, 2018, Clim. Change, 1
  14. King, 2018, Nat. Energy, 1

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Creutzig, F., Breyer, C., Hilaire, J., Minx, J., Peters, G. P., & Socolow, R.
Affiliations
  • Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (DE)
  • Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (FI)
  • Leibniz Association (DE)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
  • Center for International Climate and Environmental Research—Oslo
  • Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Creutzig, Felix
ORCID
Venue
Energy & Environmental Science
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Published
2019
Volume
12
Issue
6
Pages
1805-1817
ISSN
  • 1754-5692 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-5706
DOI
10.1039/c8ee03682a
OpenAlex
W2916400484
Semantic Scholar
955c48bb70e446df9ac1092904955a7002757887
Cited by
217
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 1
FWCI
15.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Energy & Environmental Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Publication Database PIK (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Norges Forskningsråd (209701)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Climate Change Policy and Economics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate Change and Geoengineering
Keywords
negative emissions technologies, energy systems, climate stabilization, climate change mitigation, 2°C target, climate change scenarios

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-08.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-08.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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