Biomass Energy Overview

Study Notes

Biomass energy is an alternative to fossil fuels, which release significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Biomass energy comes from organic materials such as sugar cane, wood, animal waste, grasses, food crops, and algae.
Soy and corn are common energy crops grown specifically for use in fuels.
Fuels made with biomass derivatives are called biofuels.
Organic industrial waste, such as wood processing waste, is another critical source of biomass energy.

Algae is a promising biomass energy source because it grows and produces energy rapidly.
Algae require less space than other feedstocks and do not monopolize arable land that farmers could otherwise use to grow food.
Oil extracted from algae is an abundant and renewable biomass energy source.

Burning is the simplest and most common way to convert biomass to energy.
Gasification combines biomass feedstock with oxygen and heats it to 1,300°F (700°C), releasing syngas.
Co-firing involves burning biomass and a fossil fuel, usually coal, to reduce pollution emissions.
Fermentation uses microbes to decompose sugars into carbon dioxide and ethanol.
Pyrolysis involves heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, producing combustible gases, pyrolysis oil, and biochar.

Carbon neutrality: Biomass energy is potentially carbon neutral because feedstock regrowth absorbs as much carbon dioxide as biomass energy releases.
Abundance: Biomass energy comes from abundant sources, such as algae, corn, soybeans, trees, and timber waste.
Renewability: Biomass energy sources quickly renew themselves as crops and trees continue to grow.

Initial costs: The equipment needed for processes like gasification and pyrolysis can be costly.
Transportation and storage: Moving and storing energy crops, wood pellets, and forestry waste can be cumbersome and costly.
Crop competition: Biomass energy harvesting requires large tracts of arable land, reducing acreage available for food crops and livestock.
Sustainability concerns: Biomass energy harvesting requires careful management to remain renewable and carbon neutral.