Friday, January 31, 2014

Solving Energy Problems With Biomass Solutions

By Serena Price


The fact is that biomass is the ultimate renewable energy source. As long as people continue growing and manufacturing their food, they will actually have enough sources for supplying all their energetic needs. The term is used for both animal and vegetable derived material, although people usually think only about vegetable sources. In fact, there are enough biomass solutions for solving all existing energy problems today.

Almost all agricultural residues can be used in production of biomass. Non agricultural residues and even different types of industry waste are also suitable for this purpose. For example, the waste from wood, textile and paper industry. Using waste as a source for producing clean and valuable electricity, heat or bio fuels is always a good decision.

There are some plants that are grown exclusively for energy production. These plants are usually called energy crops. For example, agricultural energy crops such as sugar cane can be used in production of bio ethanol. Some starchy crops such as maize and wheat can also be transformed into combustion fuel or bio ethanol. Oil crops are also suitable for this purpose.

Non agricultural sources such as forestry by products and different waste and residues created as a by product in specific industries, or even consumer waste, all that can become valuable biomass, and be transformed in some kind of energy. Instead being wasted, all these materials are put into good use once again.

Agricultural biomass, when used as animal food, get transformed into methane. Methane will generate heat, or be used on some other way directly on a farm. Biomass is considered to be very low carbon fuel source. It means that, when burned, this material doesn't produce so much carbon dioxide as other fuels. This energy is greener and healthier, easy accessible and more affordable.

This cheap, green, renewable energy source can be accessed locally. It means there is no need for high transportation expenses either. Fossil fuels are usually much more expensive, with the exception of coal, but they produce very high levels of carbon emissions, as well as other pollutants. The cheapest one, the coal, produces the highest levels of pollutants, and the highest level of carbon dioxide.

Although biomass from plants and vegetation also emits carbon dioxide when burned, it is still considered as carbon neutral or low carbon source. During the next crop cycle, all this carbon dioxide will be absorbed by plants, and transformed into nutrients and energy again. This repetitive cycle of absorption and release is possible thanks to the process of photosynthesis. The level of carbon emissions depends on the growth method. Using sustainable growth methods lowers these levels considerably.

Fossil fuel reserves are limited, and the time will come there will be no more. They are to blame for global pollution, and it is difficult to imagine the world without energy. Using renewable energy sources such as wind and sunlight is inevitable. Biomass solutions can additionally contribute to cleaner and greener world, using waste materials. The fact that most agricultural sources are seasonal may be override using dedicated energy crops, for example, fast growing perennial grasses.




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