GHG reduction potential of biomass gasification pathways: An Austrian life cycle emission analysis

Matschegg, D., Fuhrmann, M., Strasser, C., Krobath, P., Wetterlund, E., Stern, T., & Dißauer, C. (2026). GHG reduction potential of biomass gasification pathways: An Austrian life cycle emission analysis. Cleaner Environmental Systems 23 e100506. 10.1016/j.cesys.2026.100506.

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Abstract

Dual fluidized-bed gasification of biomass is one way to contribute to defossilizing the Austrian energy system. Although this technology is yet to be implemented on an industrial scale, it shows potential in terms of e.g. feedstock flexibility and product range. The present study assesses the sustainable supply potential of selected biomass feedstocks and quantifies the global warming potential of three pathways. Each pathway involves the gasification of biomass to synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is either combusted to generate industrial process heat, synthesized to produce synthetic natural gas, or synthesized to Fischer Tropsch-crude and refined into sustainable aviation fuel and by-products. Furthermore, the potential for substitution of fossil fuels and the resulting reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the Austrian energy system and the EU are assessed. The approach involves a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment, based on experimental and simulation data, derived from the 1 MW gasifier “Syngas Platform Vienna”. The analysis indicates that the generation of industrial process heat results in the lowest greenhouse gas emissions; methanation to synthetic natural gas demonstrates the greatest potential for fossil fuel substitution, while Fischer-Tropsch synthesis shows the greatest potential for overall greenhouse gas reduction. An increase in the complexity of gasification pathways results in increased associated greenhouse gas emissions but allows for substitution of more emission intensive fossil fuels, such as kerosene or diesel. The sustainable supply of biomass is limited; therefore, this comparative assessment determines the gasification pathway with the greatest GHG reduction potential per MJ biomass input.

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