Integrated Bioenergy Conversion and Thermal Storage for Negative-Carbon and Clean Technology Advancement
This project develops an integrated bioenergy and thermal energy storage system to enable negative-carbon and resource-efficient energy solutions. By coupling anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading with advanced thermal energy storage, agricultural residues and biomass are converted into dispatchable renewable energy while recovering heat, water and nutrients. The collaboration between National Taiwan University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology combines leading expertise in bioenergy and energy storage to advance circular bioeconomy systems. The project contributes scalable solutions for climate mitigation, decentralized energy systems and sustainable resource management.
Background
Achieving global net-zero emissions requires energy systems that not only produce renewable energy but also enhance resource efficiency and close carbon, energy and material loops. Agricultural residues and biogenic wastes represent a large, underutilized resource that can support this transition when managed through advanced bioenergy technologies. Anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading can transform these materials into renewable natural gas, but current systems often operate in isolation, leading to inefficiencies, intermittent energy output and limited utilization of excess heat.
Thermal energy storage (TES) offers a critical solution to these challenges by enabling the capture, storage and flexible use of heat generated during bioenergy conversion. However, the integration of TES with bioenergy systems remains underexplored, particularly at decentralized and small-to-medium scales. At the same time, digestate and process effluents from bioenergy systems contain valuable nutrients and water that are rarely recovered in an optimized, circular manner.
This project addresses these gaps by integrating bioenergy conversion, biogas upgrading and advanced thermal energy storage into a single, circular system. The collaboration leverages National Taiwan University’s strengths in anaerobic digestion, biomass valorization and environmental assessment, together with KTH Royal Institute of Technology’s expertise in thermal energy storage and energy systems integration. By combining experimental research, system modeling and life-cycle assessment, the project advances negative-carbon energy concepts that support climate action, circular agriculture and resilient decentralized energy systems.
Aim and Objectives
The project aims to develop and validate an integrated bioenergy - thermal storage system enabling negative-carbon, flexible and resource-efficient energy solutions.
Objectives:
-
Integrate bioenergy conversion technologies with advanced thermal energy storage.
-
Improve energy efficiency and dispatchability.
-
Recover heat, nutrients and water within a circular bioeconomy framework.
Project Partners
-
NTU- National Taiwan University
-
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Funding is provided by Ministry of Education, Taiwan.
Timeframe: 2025 - 2026
Keytags: Bioenergy Systems, Thermal Energy Storage, Negative-Carbon Technologies, Decentralized Renewable Energy
Researchers
