Biomass Renewable Energy - The Pros And Cons

Plant material and animal waste are the source of biomass renewable energy

. This type of energy had been around since the ancient era .Biomass energy was the sole provider of renewable energy before wind and solar power were discovered. If handled correctly biomass can be used to produce large amounts of bio-power. Sustainable biomass is considered a vital renewable resource and proven to be a key factor in moving towards cleaner energy.

Global warming has been a subject of great concern within the scientific community today. Many scientists believe that biomass energy is the key to reduce the consequences of global warming. Sustainable biomass will reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide. Biomass energy is not only beneficial to our environment, but it is also economical. But these benefits do not come without risks. It is critical that biomass for energy to managed with great care. If biomass is harvested unsustainably, it can cause a great damage to out ecosystems. Harmful air pollutants can be released. It can use up ample amounts of water and can produce net greenhouse emissions.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risks of biomass energy. Proper precautions and procedures must be enforced in order to secure the benefits of biomass energy. Identification of beneficial and harmful biomass resources in critical to avoid risks and make a positive impact in our environment. Biomass resources generally considered beneficial are energy crops that don't compete for land with other food crops, wheat straw and corn stover residues, forest residues and sustainably-harvested woods, and clean industrial and municipal wastes.

The use of beneficial biomass falls under the terrestrial carbon cycle. When bio-power is formed properly, emissions of biomass carbon are recycled by future plant growth within a comparatively short period. The outcome is low net carbon emissions. Stocks of carbon stored in soil and plants is maintained well, often times increasing. Coal, oil, natural gas are displaced, preventing the burning of these fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. What makes biomass a renewable energy source is that the energy comes from the sun and can also re-grow in a relatively short period of time. Chlorophyll in plants acquires the sun's energy by converting carbon dioxide from the air as well as water from the earth into carbohydrates.

The current use of biomass energy in the United States is over 50 billion kiowatt hours of electricity. Before the year 2009, biomass was the leading renewable energy source in the United States. Today, wind energy has taken its place as the largest renewable energy source. With more attention to energy crops and better conversion technology, biomass production can be significantly increased. There are many factors that contribute to the growth of biomass energy. Land use and harvesting practices, availability of resources and amount of fuel needed for transportation are some factors considered when estimating the potential of biomass energy.

by: Mary Richardson

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