What is Renewable Crude?

Biomass and biofuels made from biomass are alternative energy sources to fossil fuels—coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Burning either fossil fuels or biomass releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. However, the plants that are the source of biomass for energy capture sequestered the same amount of CO2 through photosynthesis as would be released when the biomass is burned, which can make biomass a carbon-neutral energy source. Under the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines fuels derived from biomass are carbon balanced [1]

Biomass, including non foodstuff cellulose biomass and organic waste, can be converted into liquid renewable crude by pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (also known as supercritical water liquefaction). Upgrading with green hydrogen, either from electrolysis or biomass gasification, or the use of blue hydrogen (where the CO2 in production was sequestered) provides a pathway to produce high quality drop-in renewable fuels.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the combustion of biomass or biomass-based products are captured within the CO₂ emissions in the AFOLU sector through the estimated changes in carbon stocks from biomass harvest, even in cases where the emissions physically take place in other sectors (e.g., energy). This approach to estimate and report all CO₂ emissions from biomass or biomass-based products in the AFOLU sector was introduced in the first IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC 1995), reflecting close linkages with data on biomass harvesting, and for the pragmatic reason to avoid double counting.

Because biomass is accounted for in the land use sector it should be treated as zero (ie carbon neutral) in the energy sector otherwise emissions would be accounted for twice. [2]

There are various paths and more in development. In theory the production of biomass through use of renewable crude derived energy would completely balance the carbon cycle of such products. While some renewable crude biofuels such as ethanol are blendstock compatible with existing infrastructure newer advanced products such as hydrotreated renewable diesel are completely drop-in and can substitute for petroleum based fuels. The RCDEA promotes the development of pathways to completely replace petroleum fuels.

Learn more about drop-in renewable fuels here .

A registry of updated next generation drop-in renewable fuel production processes is maintained here .

[1] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/biomass-and-the-environment.php
[2] 2019, Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Volume 2, Energy, IPCC

Suncor has put out a great video discussing what are renewable fuels and how to advance their development – view the video here.

Why is Renewable Crude A Better Solution than Electrification?

Electrification requires the use of relatively disposable or expensive to recycle batteries containing rare earth minerals and a complete replacement of existing energy infrastructure and transportation fleet.

The existing power grid is currently more than 60% fossil fuel fired with coal and natural gas that will not only have to be replaced but expanded with additional renewable generation capacity. Wind and solar have massive land footprints due to a low power generation density and are similarly disposable capital lifetimes limited to 30-40 years and declining performance over time.

Electric vehicles themselves are not as convenient with respect to proven and inexpensive Internal-Combustion-Engine (ICE) technology. Electric cars are more expensive, difficult to repair, require battery replacement over time and have long charge periods. Electric cars also suffer from declining performance over time.

Renewable crude on the other hand is a drop-in solution compatible with the existing transportation fleet and energy infrastructure. Existing internal combustion vehicles (ICE) for instance are inexpensive and convenient. As opposed to the disposing of this convenience we urge governments and companies to promote the development and usage of renewable crude.

Renewable Crude balances the existing carbon cycle while maintaining the convenience the existing transportation fleet and energy infrastructure provides.

Sequestration of carbon dioxide rich streams from the balanced conversion of biogenic biomass to drop-in renewable fuels offers a path to profitable carbon negative intensities, something unachievable with electrification. Renewable Drop-in fuel production offers a path to profitable and large scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Think land-to-mobility intensities put solar clearly in front over next generation biofuels? Think again. Read our article “Energy Crop Land Intensities Competitive with Wind and Solar?” here to learn how next generation biofuels are competitive (and potentially beat) electrification; no strip mining or disposable batteries required.