Research impact stories: Hydrogen from biomass gasification
Our project on gasification of biomass for negative emissions is led by Scott Banks with Fabian Ejim from Aston University. Here, Scott tells us a bit about what they’re doing and the impact they hope to make.
What are you doing and why?
We are developing advanced gasification* technologies that convert sustainable biomass and waste into low-carbon hydrogen while capturing and permanently storing carbon dioxide. This approach, often referred to as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), has the potential to deliver negative emissions—removing CO2 from the atmosphere rather than simply reducing it.
This work is critical because achieving net zero is no longer sufficient to meet climate targets. The UK and global climate strategies increasingly rely on negative emissions technologies to offset hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and heavy industry. By improving gasification systems, we aim to make these technologies more efficient, scalable, and economically viable.
How are you doing it and what are the biggest challenges?
Using our bespoke pressurised 200g/h fluidised bed gasifier, our research integrates experimental studies, process modelling, and techno-economic and life cycle assessment to optimise gasification systems.
A key innovation lies in co-feeding strategies, where biomass and/or solid waste are combined with waste-derived liquids using water-gas shift reaction to enhance hydrogen yields, improve overall system performance, and support circular economy principles.
We are also exploring how to better utilise by-products like biochar*, transforming them into high-value materials or long-term carbon sinks.
However, several challenges remain:
- Ensuring consistent and sustainable biomass supply chains
- Managing variability in feedstock composition
- Integrating carbon capture technologies efficiently
- Reducing costs to compete with fossil-based alternatives
- Scaling up from laboratory and pilot systems to commercial deployment
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration across academia, industry, and policy.
What are the positives? What will the impact be in 20 years?
This research supports the transition to a circular, low-carbon energy system by turning waste into valuable energy carriers while actively removing carbon from the atmosphere.
In the next 20 years, successful deployment could:
- Enable large-scale production of carbon-negative hydrogen
- Contribute significantly to the UK’s net zero and carbon removal targets
- Create new green industries and skilled jobs
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels and imported energy
- Provide sustainable solutions for waste management
Ultimately, this work could help position the UK as a global leader in negative emissions technologies and sustainable energy innovation.
*Glossary
- Gasification – a thermochemical process that converts biomass into a hydrogen-rich gas by heating it at high temperatures with a limited amount of oxygen.
- Biochar – a carbon-rich solid material produced when biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen, which can be used for applications such as soil improvement, carbon storage, and advanced materials.
