BECCS and DACCS as Negative Emission Providers in an Intermittent Electricity System: Why Levelized Cost of Carbon May Be a Misleading Measure for Policy Decisions

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere is likely to be needed limit global warming 1.5 or 2°C and thereby for meeting Paris Agreement. There a debate which methods are most suitable cost-effective this goal thus deeper understanding of system effects related CDR effective governance these technologies. Bio-Energy with Capture Storage (BECCS) Direct Air (DACCS) two methods, that have direct relation electricity system—BECCS via producing it DACCS consuming. In work, we investigate how BECCS interact an intermittent achieve net negative emissions in sector using energy model regions different wind solar resource conditions. The analysis shows has higher levelized cost carbon (LCOC) than BECCS, implying less costly capture CO 2 under assumptions made study. However, due high (LCOE) produced by total lower as emission provider more flexible enables cheaper production PV. We also find replacement effect outweighs flexibility effect. Since variations solar-based systems regular shorter (daily cycles), one could assume better suited such systems, whereas our results point opposite direction showing competitive wind-based systems. result sensitive price biomass amount required sector. Our show use LCOC often presented literature main indicator choosing between options might misleading broader need considered well-grounded decisions.