JOURNAL: Biomass and bioenergy technologies assessment for net-zero transitions: Resource potential, performance, technology readiness, and system constraints
Summary
Authors:
Shadi Samizadeh
Joe Howe
Pouriya H. Niknam
Mike Colechin
Manuela Pacella
Xingjun Wang
Amir Badiee
University of Lincoln
Cultivate Innovation Ltd
Loughborough University
Lanzhou University
Biomass and bioenergy technologies assessment for net-zero transitions: Resource potential, performance, technology readiness, and system constraints
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
August 2026
This paper reviews bioenergy technologies that turn organic material into renewable heat, power, and fuel. Some, like anaerobic digestion and co-firing biomass in power plants, are already commercially proven, while others, such as converting biomass into bio-oil or gas, still face technical hurdles. The review finds bioenergy can meaningfully cut emissions, but only with careful land management to avoid competing with food production, and highlights combining it with carbon capture as a promising way to remove CO2. Future focus areas include Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), AI-optimised processes, and integrated biorefineries.