Pyrolysis as a strategic element in energy system transformation to achieve net zero emissions

Abstract

This study evaluates pyrolysis as a dual-purpose technology for integrating negative emissions and dispatchable electricity into Germany’s power system, supporting climate neutrality by 2045. Using a myopic power system model, we assess the role of pyrolysis, which operates solely on residual biomass. By 2050, pyrolysis can reach an installed capacity of 5 GW, supplying 2 % of total electricity generation. Its flexible power output reduces the need for hydrogen storage by 60 %, as it generates electricity during low renewable supply periods and offsets CO₂ emissions from gas-fired power plants through biochar sequestration. This enables continued gas plant operation without new investments while maintaining a net-negative CO₂ balance. Pyrolysis deployment is closely linked to solar PV availability, expanding earlier in high-solar regions, and its integration increases battery storage capacity by 240 %. The expansion of pyrolysis is driven by investment costs (CAPEX) and electricity demand, with lower CAPEX—below 308 €/(t_BM/year) for pyrolysis plants and 2,300 €/kW_el for power generation units—accelerating deployment. Rising electricity demand enhances pyrolysis’ role as a flexible power source, even under high CAPEX conditions. These findings highlight pyrolysis as a strategic enabler of energy system decarbonization, uniquely combining dispatchable renewable electricity and negative emissions. Its integration underscores the need for a diversified power plant portfolio to maintain system flexibility and stability, providing essential insights for policymakers, investors, and energy planners on optimizing market frameworks and deployment strategies.