subject: Biomass Power - #1 Renewable Energy [print this page] Today, fossil fuels still power up most of our homes and industries. However, these oil and gasoline are not meant to last forever theyre on the verge of getting depleted. This is the reason why scientists are looking for more renewable sources of energy to minimize or completely stop our dependence on this finite resource.
Do you know that what supplies more renewable energy is not solar or wind power? It is far easier to find and harvest. It is biomass power.
What is biomass power?
This is the electricity or energy produced through the direct combustion or gasification of plant matter and animal manure. It includes all the things that you consider as trash used paper, tree and plant clippings, fallen leaves and branches even the manure of the chicken in your backyard. All of these cab ne used to generate electricity.
Types of Beneficial Biomass
Heres a list of the beneficial biomass that can greatly contribute to the production of energy.
o Urban wastes we generate wastes in many forms such as wood clippings, tree trimmings, untreated leftover construction wood, paper, food wastes and others can be used for energy.
o Manure these wastes from poultry and livestock are commonly used as fertilizer for plants. But aside from that, it can also be gasified or burned to produce electricity enough to operate your household or farm.
o Energy crop they can be planted on the margins of farms or double crops in rotation with food crops. These crops do not compete with food crops.
o Grasses Switchgrass is worthy of mention because it is resistant to drought, flood, poor nutrient supply and even to pests. It is one hardy species of grass indeed. There are also other varieties of crops that can be collected for a span of 10 years before replanting.
o Woody biomass sawdust, bark, and the byproducts of paper making and timber is the currently the number one source of biomass.
How it works?
o Direct combustion
The biomass, especially the wood and plant matters are out into a furnace and buned. The steam produced turns the turbine and produces electricity. This is the oldest and most apt conversion of biomass to electricity.
o Combined heat and power (CHP)
The heat produced by direct combustion of biomass is used as the heat source of buildings and industrial processes. This way, the energy produced as well as the heat does not go to waste.
o Gasification
Careful heating of the biomass can convert it into syngas a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This can be used to run turbines directly and produce electricity. This is generally more efficient and environmentally-friendly than direct burning of the trash.
The Benefits and Drawbacks
Using up these trashes to generate electricity will also clear up space in the overflowing landfills. If we segregate at point source (at homes or industry), less trash will be dumped in landfills. Small industries will also be able to operate independently with the use of livestock feed and manure.
The use of biomass power greatly reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. However, its conversion through direct combustion might also create problems for the environment since it also produces carbon dioxide aggravating pollution and global warming. This can be counteracted through replanting of trees. if no replanting is done, this will not be a favorable and renewable source of energy all together. Thus, it will need the constant vigilance and support of the citizens and government in making sure that the used up plants are replaced accordingly.
