Biomass Power Explained

Biomass is one of the oldest sources of power, but the way in which it is used today, in many parts of the world, is very different from the traditional wood fires that were once used to heat every home. Biomass is a renewable source of energy. Power is derived from biomass by burning organic material that has been obtained from organisms that are or recently were alive. In contrast, fossil fuels are derived from organic material that was produced by organisms that have been dead for millions of years and which have undergone geological transformations.

Biomass can take many different forms. It is most commonly plant matter that has been grown for heat or electricity production. Wood, biodegradable waste materials, hydrogen gas and alcohol fuels can all be sources of biomass power. This power is usually released through burning, although it is also possible to use biomass to produce chemicals.

One of the main differences between biomass power today and the traditional use of biomass for fuel is that it can now be used to produce electricity. Another difference between traditional practices and modern use of biomass is that crops are now sometimes grown specifically in order to produce biomass power. Industrial biomass production may grow many different types of plants, including sugarcane, miscanthus, hemp, switchgrass, corn, willow, poplar, sorghum, willow, oil palm and eucalyptus.

Sources of biomass power can be classified into five basic types: wood, waste, garbage, landfill gases and alcohol fuels. Wood biomass can be derived from trees that have been specifically grown for fuel, or from the waste produced by the forestry, wood and paper industries. Waste energy includes municipal solid waste and manufacturing waste. Organic garbage can also be used as biomass, as can the gases produced when organic matter decomposes. Alcohol fuel, which is usually derived from corn or sugarcane, can be used as a fuel or a gasoline additive.

The method through which energy is derived from biomass depends upon the type of biomass that is being used, and the form of energy that is required. Biomass may be burned as fuel in order to produce heat or to drive a generator and produce electricity. It can also be converted into another form of energy, such as ethanol or alcohol fuel, or methane gas. Some types of biomass can be used in a number of different ways, but others can only be used in one way.

Thermal conversion uses heat to release the energy from biomass and convert it into another form. This may be through combustion, gasification or some other form of heating. Chemical conversion can change the form of the energy in biomass into a fuel that is easy to transport, store or use. Biochemical conversion uses microorganisms such as bacteria to break down biomass and convert it into another form.

Biomass is a renewable form of energy, but unlike some types of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, biomass power does release pollutants into the air. Burning biomass creates carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds as well as particulates and other types of pollution. The pollution that is created when biomass is burned, particularly the black carbon, can contribute to climate change. However, as long as the source of the biomass is renewable, with new plants being grown to replace those that are burned, there will be no net increase of carbon dioxide when biomass power is used. Agricultural sources of biomass can therefore be carbon neutral. However, forests usually store more carbon when they are not harvested, so biomass derived from wood may not be carbon neutral.

Biomass also differs from other types of renewable energy because it is not self-perpetuating. In order to guarantee a continuing supply of biomass, it is necessary to ensure that new plants are grown. This usually requires agricultural production. In parts of the world where trees have been cut down for use as a traditional fuel, without being replanted, large areas of forest have been cleared. People sometimes have to trek long distances in order to find fuel that would have been growing on their doorstep a generation ago.

The use of land for biomass production poses a problem for food production, particularly if people in poorer countries choose to grow cash crops of biomass fuels rather than food. This could potentially lead to food shortages. However, it is possible to produce biomass fuel from land that would not otherwise be used for food production, or to use waste products from agricultural production, or garbage.

Biomass is still used in many parts of the world for heating and cooking. Its use as a source of electricity and for the production of methane and alcohol fuels is more recent, but there are some large power plants and commercial enterprises. Biomass power plants usually relying on nearby sources of biomass since transporting bulky biomass fuel over long distances is not very cost effective.

The largest biomass power plant in North America is the New Hope Power Partnership, which produces enough electricity to supply 60,000 homes as well as to run its mill. The plant uses sugar cane fiber and recycled wood, which would otherwise have to be disposed of in a landfill. The use of waste products to produce biomass power can help produce renewable energy and to reduce garbage. Biomass power in the United States currently produces 1.4 percent of the total amount of electricity generated in the country.

Biomass power is just one type of renewable energy. PennEnergy.org is a good source of further information about renewable sources of energy.