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OBJECTIVES
Learn about the pros and cons of biomass energy and it sustainability Learn about the production and implementation of biomass energy Learn about technical aspects of biomass and how they can be overcome Learn about the regulations impacting biomass use Develop an educated opinion about the sustainability of biomass as an alternative energy
OVERVIEW
Biomass is a renewable energy source that is derived from living or recently living organisms. Biomass includes biological material, not organic material like coal. Energy derived from biomass is mostly used to generate electricity or to produce heat. Thermal energy is extracted by means of combustion, torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification. Biomass can be chemically and biochemically treated to convert it to a energy-rich fuel.
http://www.renegy.com/images/BiomassCycleChart_001.gif
Projected Nonhydroelectric Renewable Electricity Energy Generation by Energy Source, 2010 and 2020 (billion KWH)
DISAGREEMENTS
Biomass has a smaller energy content for its bulk than fossil fuels Costs of labor, transportation, and storage would then be higher
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES
Renewable resource Reduces landfills Protects clean water supplies Reduces acid rain and smog Reduces greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide Methane
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Comes from the forest Can also come from plant and animal waste Wood and waste can be found virtually anywhere Transportation costs
ENHANCEMENT
Wood is the largest resource Expand by using other plants, residues, or waste Finding different materials to use as fuel
DEVELOPMENT
Many areas could be used Potentially supply more than 20% of US energy supply Bioenergy crops will be More important in future Come closer to area that Need energy
TECHNICAL IMPEDIMENTS
Trees and other biomass is hard to gather There is a low output of 34% energy gain Development of cheapo and reliable combustion techniques that will not release pollutants
http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/nn/nn_rt/nn_rt_bm/article_1112_en.htm
TECHNICAL IMPEDIMENTS
Development of gasification techniques that incorporate hydrogen to create syngas Biomass contains less energy per pound than fossil fuels Cost-inefficient to transport more than 50 miles before it is converted to fuel
http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/nn/nn_rt/nn_rt_bm/article_1112_en.htm
SOLUTION
The solution is to have decentralized processing plants This means less transport of biomass This is more cost-efficient More reliable, regular, and better quality Less competition between companies
http://www.desipower.com/why/advntg_biomass.htm
ENVIRONMENTAL DISADVANTAGES
Crop and forest residues often contain high concentrations of important nutrients If the residue is harvested as energy, the nutrients can be lost to the surrounding environment. Other synthetic chemical nutrients or fertilizers can later be added More plants and trees must be planted, because they will be used in a higher quantity
GOVERNMENTAL INITIATIVE
California produces more than 60 million bone dry tons of biomass each year. Of this total, five million bone dry tons is now burned to make electricity. Many states promote biomass if cost, location and resources are to their benefit
SUSTAINIBILITY
Biomass is sustainable but there is an expense in producing and converting biomass into fuels and electricity. Collecting biomass turned out to be very different than harvesting, as loggers gained more experience the process became much more efficient. While biomass is one of the best forms of renewable energy, it is not a great fuel.
SUSTAINIBILITY
Removing too much biomass can use up nutrients from the soil and possibly increase erosion. Biomass supplies about 15 times as much energy then solar and wind in the United States, and has the potential to supply much more.
CONCLUSION
Biomass is a potential alternative to fossil fuels but it is not very viable. There are many problems in the development and transportation of it and carbon is a byproduct of processing of biomass, just like it is a byproduct of fossil fuels. There are better alternative energies.
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