Swedish Project Aims to Generate Power and Capture CO2 with Bacteria

A pioneering exploration action in Sweden is developing a new technology designed to attack two major environmental challenges at once — generating renewable electricity and permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The design, known as BioCCUS, utilises a unique process where genetically modified bacteria consume biomass to produce an electric current while also capturing the CO2 for storage. This dual-purpose approach could offer a new pathway for clean energy production and carbon insulation.

The core of the BioCCUS technology functions as a kind of "biobattery." In this system, specially engineered microorganisms break down organic material, such as forestry or agricultural waste. As the bacteria digest the biomass, they release electrons, thereby generating a flow of electricity. Unlike simply burning the biomass for energy, this natural process is designed to be carbon-negative. The carbon contained within the plant material, which was originally absorbed from the atmosphere, isn’t released back into the air as CO2 during the reaction.

Instead, the innovative system captures the carbon dioxide in a separate stream. This captured CO2 is then mixed with an alkaline liquid residue from industrial processes, such as ash from paper mills, which would otherwise be considered waste. A chemical reaction occurs, transforming the gaseous CO2 into stable, solid carbonate minerals. This process of mineralisation effectively locks down the carbon dioxide permanently, preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

The design is presently moving from laboratory research to a pilot-scale testing phase. A small demonstration plant is being established to validate the technology's effectiveness and scalability outside of controlled lab conditions. The primary goal of this pilot is to prove that the system can operate continuously and effectively manage the carbonation process to ensure maximum CO2 is captured and mineralised. Success at this stage is critical for attracting the investment needed to develop larger, commercial-scale units.

If successfully scaled, the BioCCUS technology could provide a versatile and decentralised solution for carbon removal. The developers suggest that units could be deployed at industrial sites that produce large quantities of biomass waste, such as forestry or agricultural centres, allowing them to generate their own power while reducing their carbon footprint. By converting organic waste into electricity and solid carbonates, the design represents a compelling example of a circular economy, turning by-products into valuable resources for climate mitigation.