subject: Biomass Energy: An Overview [print this page] In fear of using up the planets resources, the public clamors for renewable sources of energy. Im sure you have encountered solar energy; a promising source of power but come in a steep price. Then theres also hydropower, wind mills, geothermal and of course biomass energy.
What is biomass energy?
Biomass is the stuff that you usually think of as trash fruit peelings, dead branches, mound of dried and fallen leaves, bark, saw dust and even livestock manure. They are the biodegradable wastes that youve learned to put in a container to decay to be used later as compost or fertilizer for your plants. However, did you know that you can also use it to produce electricity?
In California, recycling five million tons of trash (forest and agricultural residues, urban wood waste and feed stocks) produced electricity enough to power thousands of homes. So how is this possible?
How it works?
The plant matter (wood waste, fallen tree, branches and leaves) is fed into a furnace and burned to boil water. The steam produced will turn the turbines and engines thus creating electric energy.
Another way of generating electricity is through land fill gas. As the trash decomposes, it gives off methane which is then collected through a series of pipelines. The methane gas is then used by power plants to generate electricity. In animal farms, the feed lots and manure can be burned to make energy enough to operate the farm.
A new way of using biomass is through the production of ethanol. Cars are now being developed to utilize alcohol fuel instead of the usual gasoline or diesel.
Types of Beneficial Biomass
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, theres a vast array of biomass that are considered beneficial for energy production.
o Energy crop crops that do not compete with food crops. They can be planted on the margins of farms or double crops in rotation with food crops.
o Grasses switchgrass and other native varieties can be harvested for 10 years before needing replanting. This provides a good source of biomass for energy production.
o Crop residues crop residues (ones you leave in farms to prevent soil erosion) and even the wastes of food processing can be burned for fuel.
o Manure aside from fertilizers, these wastes from livestock and poultry can be gasified or combusted to produce electricity.
o Woody biomass bark, sawdust, and the byproducts of paper making and timber are the leading source of biomass.
o Urban wastes the wood clippings, trimmed grass, untreated leftover construction wood and others can be used for generating energy as well.
The Benefits and Drawbacks
The use of biomass energy will help reduce global warming. We all know that plants use and store carbon dioxide (CO2). Thus it is a must that after using up the plant matter wastes, we replace them by planting new trees, shrubs and the like. If we do not replant, the use of biomass will also contribute to the worsening condition of the planet.
