Energy uses of biomass

Elements of a thermodynamic and systemic analysis

CEA, Direction des Énergies, I-Tésé CEA/Grenoble, 17, avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9

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Abstract

The climate and geopolitical context are forcing our societies to look at how best to use new energy resources without contributing to the greenhouse effect. However, “greenhouse neutral” does not mean carbon-free. Assessing carbon neutrality must therefore be carried out across the entire processing chain, and the laws of thermodynamics apply at every stage.

In today’s energy mix, fossil carbon dominates. And even in a future system, carbon will remain essential for materials, chemicals and energy, just as it is for food. We shall see that it is not so much a question of “decarbonising” the system as of “defossilising” it. Since carbon is a critical resource, we need to encourage the best uses of it and maximise its conversion efficiency.