Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree

Harman-Ware, Anne E.; Zhang, Yimin; Brown, Luca

doi:10.7799/3009153

Title: Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree

Dataset
Other Related Research

Abstract

Counterfactual is the term used to describe a "business-as-usual" scenario which used as a baseline to compare against a new project, allowing the calculation of net impacts for a life cycle analysis (LCA). The choice of counterfactual is critical for determining the results from LCA and must be carefully justified to ensure a fair and accurate comparison. Using forest residues as an example, this decision tree illustrates decision points to be considered for sustainable biomass sourcing and provides a framework for estimating the carbon emissions or storage under the "business-as-usual” scenarios for biomass otherwise destined for use in Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) projects.

Authors:

;

National Laboratory of the Rockies

Publication Date:: Tue Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 2025

DOE Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

Research Org.:: National Laboratory of the Rockies

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Technology Transitions (OTT)

Subject:: 09 BIOMASS FUELS; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; BiCRS; Biomass; decision tree; life cycle analysis

OSTI Identifier:: 3009153

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.7799/3009153

Citation Formats


                    Harman-Ware, Anne E., Zhang, Yimin, and Brown, Luca. Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree.  United States: N. p., 2025. 
        Web.  doi:10.7799/3009153.

Copy to clipboard


                    Harman-Ware, Anne E., Zhang, Yimin, & Brown, Luca. Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree.  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.7799/3009153

Copy to clipboard


                    Harman-Ware, Anne E., Zhang, Yimin, and Brown, Luca. 2025.  
"Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree".  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.7799/3009153.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/3009153. Pub date:Tue Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 2025

Copy to clipboard


                    
@article{osti_3009153,

  title        = {Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Counterfactual Decision Tree},

  author       = {Harman-Ware, Anne E. and Zhang, Yimin and Brown, Luca},

  abstractNote = {Counterfactual is the term used to describe a "business-as-usual" scenario which used as a baseline to compare against a new project, allowing the calculation of net impacts for a life cycle analysis (LCA). The choice of counterfactual is critical for determining the results from LCA and must be carefully justified to ensure a fair and accurate comparison. Using forest residues as an example, this decision tree illustrates decision points to be considered for sustainable biomass sourcing and provides a framework for estimating the carbon emissions or storage under the "business-as-usual” scenarios for biomass otherwise destined for use in Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) projects.},

  doi          = {10.7799/3009153},

  journal      = {},

  number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Tue Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 2025},

  month        = {Tue Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 2025}

}

Copy to clipboard

Dataset:

View Dataset

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7799/3009153

Save / Share:

Export Metadata

Save to My Library

Similar records in DOE Data Explorer and OSTI.GOV collections:

Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Variables Matrices

Dataset Harman-Ware, Anne E. ; Aui, Alvina ; Yuan, Mengyao ; ...

The Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Variables Matrices provide insights related to measured, monitored, reported and verified (MMRV) components (variables) across a BiCRS value chain. Suggested variable values and components to be measured with literature references and context obtained from industry and scientists are provided for several biomass sources, conversion routes and storage scenarios. The Variables Matrices are meant to support life cycle assessment and MMRV efforts for BiCRS projects. These variables and insights may need to be updated in the future as additional information, scientific advancements, and data become available (Version 1 issued in 2025).
Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Biomass and Bioproduct Data Table

Dataset Harman-Ware, Anne E. ; Paeper, Cheyenne

The Biomass for Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Biomass and Bioproduct Data Table was generated using data from biomass and bioproducts (i.e., biochar, pyrolysis oil) supplied by BiCRS project developers. Data was obtained via analytical characterization methodologies listed in the document at the National Laboratory of the Rockies.
Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)

Conference Chun, Soomin ; Ware, Anne

To achieve the ambitious net-zero emission goal by 2050, it is vital to explore practical approaches for removing carbon dioxide from the air. One promising method is Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS). BiCRS combines the natural ability of plants to convert carbon dioxide into biomass with human engineering to store the biomass, or derived products (char), belowground where it won't decompose. By securely storing these materials underground, we can trap the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants during their growth, thus aiding in carbon removal from the atmosphere. BiCRS not only addresses carbon emissions but also has co-benefits suchmore »« less
Soil nutrients affect biomass allocation at the individual tree level in Populus_deltoides

Dataset Li, Xuefeng ; Ftwi, Nahom ; Kleinsasser, Janna L. ; ...

The allocation of carbon (C) to tree roots has implication for forest productivity and soil C storage. Here, we elucidated the factors affecting absolute and relative production of resource-acquiring absorptive fine roots (AFR) and other tree organs. We assessed soil properties, leaf (Leaves), stem and branch (Stem-Br), coarse root (CR), transport fine root (TFR), and AFR biomass, production, and allocation and leaf litterfall and AFR and TFR turnover for 12 trees in a youngPopulus deltoides plantation. On a biomass basis, standing crop of AFRs was significantly related to that of TFRs, but both were independent of biomass of leaves, CRsmore »« less
Filer City Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Net-Negative Study

Technical Report Gehring, Timothy ; Sloan-Laethem, Jacqueline ; Jenrow, Amy

NorthStar Clean Energy Company (NorthStar) conducted the Filer City Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Net-Negative Study to develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for retrofitting the TES Filer City Station with post-combustion carbon capture technology in Mainstee Michigan. The Filer City BiCRS Net-Negative Study allowed NorthStar and team to confirm the commercial feasibility of a post-combustion carbon capture system applied to biomass-fired boilers. At the time of the study, there were no operating facilities in the world with carbon capture applied to flue gas from woody biomass as proposed for Filer City. Due to the solvent-agnostic nature ofmore »« less

Similar Records