A Review of Coal-Biomass Co-Firing in China: Technological Pathways, Challenges, and Strategic Roles for Dual Carbon Goals

Document Type : Review article

Authors

1 Guangdong Datang International Leizhou Power Generation Co., Ltd., Leizhou 524200, China.

2 Harbin Boiler Company Limited, Harbin, 150046, China. State Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Thermal Power Generation Technology and Equipments (Harbin Boiler Company Limited), Harbin, 150046, China.

3 China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Lingang, Shanghai, 201306, China.

Abstract

To achieve China's "Dual Carbon" goals and promote the low-carbon transition of coal-fired power generation, biomass, as a key carbon-neutral energy source, has made research on its co-firing technology with coal of significant strategic importance. This paper systematically reviews the development status of biomass co-firing technology both domestically and internationally, noting that many European countries and China have made remarkable progress in demonstration projects and application scale, though gaps remain in the localization of key equipment and technical challenges. Using systematic literature review and case study comparison methods, the study evaluates the maturity, adaptability, and retrofitting costs of technical pathways such as direct, indirect, and parallel co-firing. The findings indicate that biomass co-firing can effectively reduce CO₂ emissions and enhance operational flexibility, but it also faces engineering challenges such as combustion instability, slagging, and corrosion, which require mitigation strategies like fuel pretreatment and combustion optimization. Furthermore, policy analysis reveals that China’s "14th Five-Year Plan" for Bio-Economy Development and the "Action Plan for Low-Carbon Retrofit and Construction of Coal Power (2024–2027)" have synergistic effects in promoting technology scale-up and supply chain development. Finally, the paper proposes implementation recommendations from the perspectives of technological breakthroughs, policy incentives, and industrial collaboration, aiming to provide insights for building a clean energy system and supporting high-quality development in China.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Aghamohammadi, N., Reginald, S. S., Shamiri, A., Zinatizadeh, A. A., Wong, L. P., & Nik Sulaiman, N. M. B. (2016). An investigation of sustainable power generation from oil palm biomass: a case study in Sarawak. Sustainability, 8(5), 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8050416 ‏
Akash, F. A., Shovon, S. M., Rahman, M. A., Rahman, W., Chakraborty, P., Haque, M. N., Monir, M. U., Habib, M. A., Biswas, A. K., Chowdhury, S., Khan, M. F. H., & Prasetya, T. A. E. (2024). Innovative pathways to sustainable energy: Advancements in clean coal technologies in Bangladesh - A review. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 22, 100805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100805
Antolini, D., Piazzi, S., Menin, L., Baratieri, M., & Patuzzi, F. (2022). High hydrogen content syngas for biofuels production from biomass air gasification: Experimental evaluation of a char-catalyzed steam reforming unit. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47(64), 27421-27436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.06.075
Bagherian, M. A., Mehranzamir, K., Rezania, S., Abdul-Malek, Z., Pour, A. B., & Alizadeh, S. M. (2021). Analyzing Utilization of Biomass in Combined Heat and Power and Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power Systems. Processes, 9(6), 1002. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9061002
Bai, H., Lin, H., Singh Chauhan, B., Amer, A. M., Fayed, M., Ayed, H., Mouldi, A., Farouk Deifalla, A., Lin, Z., & Truong, N. (2023). Development of a novel power and freshwater cogeneration plant driven by hybrid geothermal and biomass energy. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 52, 103695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2023.103695
Blondeau, J., Museur, T., Demaude, O., Allard, P., Turoni, F., & Mertens, J. (2020). Cost-effective flexibilisation of an 80 MWe retrofitted biomass power plants: Improved combustion control dynamics using virtual air flow sensors. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 21, 100680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2020.100680
Chen, Z., Shi, Y., Ding, R., & Liu, J. (2024). Scientometric investigations on dual carbon research: Revealing advancements, key areas, and future outlook. Heliyon, 10(19), e38903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38903
Enescu, D., Ciocia, A., Galappaththi, U. I. K., Wickramasinghe, H., Alagna, F., Amato, A., Díaz-González, F., Spertino, F., & Cocina, V. (2023). Energy Tariff Policies for Renewable Energy Development: Comparison between Selected European Countries and Sri Lanka. Energies, 16(4), 1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041727
Hammond, G. P., & Spargo, J. (2014). The prospects for coal-fired power plants with carbon capture and storage: A UK perspective. Energy Conversion and Management, 86, 476-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.05.030
Ibitoye, S. E., Mahamood, R. M., Jen, T.-C., Loha, C., & Akinlabi, E. T. (2023). An overview of biomass solid fuels: Biomass sources, processing methods, and morphological and microstructural properties. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 8(4), 333-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2023.09.005
Kamble, A. D., Saxena, V. K., Chavan, P. D., & Mendhe, V. A. (2019). Co-gasification of coal and biomass an emerging clean energy technology: Status and prospects of development in Indian context. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 29(2), 171-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2018.03.011
Khan, K., Khurshid, A., Cifuentes-Faura, J., & Xianjun, D. (2024). Does renewable energy development enhance energy security?. Utilities Policy, 87, 101725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2024.101725
Liu, L., Memon, M. Z., Xie, Y., Gao, S., Guo, Y., Dong, J., Gao, Y., Li, A., & Ji, G. (2023). Recent advances of research in coal and biomass co-firing for electricity and heat generation. Circular Economy, 2(4), 100063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cec.2023.100063
Lucena, J. D. A. Y., & Silva, L. M. B. (2022). Use Of Sugarcane Biomass In Brazil. International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science, 2(3), 213-224. https://doi.org/10.38142/ijesss.v2i3.106
Lund, H., Thellufsen, J. Z., Sorknæs, P., Mathiesen, B. V., Chang, M., Madsen, P. T., Kany, M. S., & Skov, I. R. (2022). Smart energy Denmark. A consistent and detailed strategy for a fully decarbonized society. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168, 112777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112777
Meibom, P., Hilger, K., Madsen, H., & Vinther, D. (2013). Energy Comes Together in Denmark: The Key to a Future Fossil-Free Danish Power System. Power and Energy Magazine, IEEE power and energy magazine, 11(5), 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1109/MPE.2013.2268751
Mustapha, S. I., Anekwe, I. M. S., Akpasi, S. O., Muritala, K. B., Tetteh, E. K., Joel, A. S., & Isa, Y. M. (2025). Biomass conversion for sustainable hydrogen generation: A comprehensive review. Fuel Processing Technology, 272, 108210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2025.108210
Namakka, M., Rahman, M. R., & Bakri, M. K. B. (2026). Waste biomass pellets for green energy production - A sustainable alternative for energy security. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 226, 116315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116315
Ren, Q., & Zhao, C. (2015). Evolution of fuel-N in gas phase during biomass pyrolysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 50, 408-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.043
Roni, M. S., Chowdhury, S., Mamun, S., Marufuzzaman, M., Lein, W., & Johnson, S. (2017). Biomass co-firing technology with policies, challenges, and opportunities: A global review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 78, 1089-1101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.023
Sher, F., Hameed, S., Omerbegović, N. S., Wang, B., Hai, I. U., Rashid, T., Teoh, Y. H., & Yildiz, M. J. (2025). Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage technology to achieve net zero emissions–A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 210, 115229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.115229
Song, X., & Zhang, B. (2024). Study on the cost composition and control of coal power in China under the perspective of policy evolution. Heliyon, 10(16), e36098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36098
Su’ait, M. S., Ludin, N. A., & Sopian, K. (2025). Introduction to Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Transition Strategies. In Renewable Energy Technologies and Strategies in the Global Energy Transition (Vol. 1499, pp. 1-14). ACS Publications. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2025-1499.ch001
Sun, R., Liu, T., Chen, X., & Yao, L. (2021). A biomass-coal co-firing based bi-level optimal approach for carbon emission reduction in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123318
Wang, H., Yan, Y., Li, Z., Cao, Z., Fu, Y., Zhou, Z., & Zhao, D. (2025). Carbon mitigation potential and economic benefits of biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants: A case study in Nanjing, China. Energy, 314, 134262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.134262
Wang, Z., Huang, W., Wang, H., Gao, J., Zhang, R., Xu, G., & Wang, Z. (2024). Research on the improvement of carbon neutrality by utilizing agricultural waste: Based on a life cycle assessment of biomass briquette fuel heating system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140365
Xie, H., & Zhang, Y. (2013). Experimental Study on the Co-Firing Power Generation of Municipal Solid Waste and Biomass. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 291, 280-283. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.291-294.280
Xie, S., Yang, Q., Wang, Q., Zhou, H., Bartocci, P., & Fantozzi, F. (2023). Coal power decarbonization via biomass co-firing with carbon capture and storage: Tradeoff between exergy loss and GHG reduction. Energy Conversion and Management, 288, 117155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117155
Xu, Y., Yang, K., Zhou, J., & Zhao, G. (2020). Coal-Biomass Co-Firing Power Generation Technology: Current Status, Challenges and Policy Implications. Sustainability, 12(9), 3692. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093692
Zhang, A. (2025). Low carbon performance evaluation of China's power industry driven by artificial intelligence—Take Shanghai Electric Power Co., Ltd. as an example. Heliyon, 11(2), e41066. https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.88.2.113
Zihao, M., Farouk, N., Singh, P. K., Abed, A. M., Samad, S., Babiker, S. G., Shernazarov, I., Hendy, A., Almadhor, A., Bouallegue, B., & Afzal, A. R. (2025). Multi-thermal recovery layout for a sustainable power and cooling production by biomass-based multi-generation system: Techno-economic-environmental analysis and ANN-GA optimization. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 65, 105589.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.105589
Biomechanism and Bioenergy Research
Volume 4, Issue 4 - Serial Number 10
December 2025
Pages 80-94

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 26 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 18 December 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics