6.7 Energy from Biomass
2 min read•january 7, 2023
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
What is Biomass Energy?
Biomass has been used since our very first ancestors, they used wood to burn it and produce heat. Now modernized, is the burning of waste such as wood, garbage, crops, , and in order to produce heat that is converted into electricity. Biomass is renewable since waste is produced readily, and in countries where technology for more efficient energy production is scarce, biomass is always there to support energy production.
Image Courtesy of The National Energy Education Project
Biomass resources are often available in large quantities, but different types of species take a longer time to replenish. For example, trees can grow rapidly, but quick use of a forest for without accounting for how slowly they will regrow may lead to . Similarly, the use of an endangered species for may put it into extinction.
can be used as a substitute for gasoline. Burning does not introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, but the energy return on energy investment for is low.
Many companies are actively working on sustainable biomass technologies to replace transportation fuels.
Benefits 👍🏻 | Drawbacks 👎🏻 |
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Watch: Environmental Science
Key Terms to Review (7)
Alcohol Fuels
: Alcohol fuels are liquid fuels made from the fermentation of sugars or starches found in plants. Ethanol and methanol are common examples of alcohol fuels used as alternatives to gasoline.Biomass Energy
: Biomass energy refers to the use of organic materials, such as plants and animal waste, to generate heat or electricity. It is a renewable source of energy that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Carbon Neutral
: Being carbon neutral means achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. It involves reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions through activities like reforestation or investing in renewable energy projects.Deforestation
: Deforestation refers to the clearing, removal, or destruction of forests. It involves the permanent conversion of forested areas into non-forest land for various purposes such as agriculture, urbanization, or logging.Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROEI)
: EROEI is a measure of the amount of usable energy obtained from an energy source compared to the amount of energy invested to obtain it. It helps determine the efficiency and sustainability of different energy sources.Ethanol
: Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is produced from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass through fermentation. It is commonly used as a biofuel additive in gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Landfill Gas
: Landfill gas is the mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of organic waste in landfills. It primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide and can be captured and utilized as an energy source.6.7 Energy from Biomass
2 min read•january 7, 2023
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
What is Biomass Energy?
Biomass has been used since our very first ancestors, they used wood to burn it and produce heat. Now modernized, is the burning of waste such as wood, garbage, crops, , and in order to produce heat that is converted into electricity. Biomass is renewable since waste is produced readily, and in countries where technology for more efficient energy production is scarce, biomass is always there to support energy production.
Image Courtesy of The National Energy Education Project
Biomass resources are often available in large quantities, but different types of species take a longer time to replenish. For example, trees can grow rapidly, but quick use of a forest for without accounting for how slowly they will regrow may lead to . Similarly, the use of an endangered species for may put it into extinction.
can be used as a substitute for gasoline. Burning does not introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, but the energy return on energy investment for is low.
Many companies are actively working on sustainable biomass technologies to replace transportation fuels.
Benefits 👍🏻 | Drawbacks 👎🏻 |
|
|
Watch: Environmental Science
Key Terms to Review (7)
Alcohol Fuels
: Alcohol fuels are liquid fuels made from the fermentation of sugars or starches found in plants. Ethanol and methanol are common examples of alcohol fuels used as alternatives to gasoline.Biomass Energy
: Biomass energy refers to the use of organic materials, such as plants and animal waste, to generate heat or electricity. It is a renewable source of energy that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Carbon Neutral
: Being carbon neutral means achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. It involves reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions through activities like reforestation or investing in renewable energy projects.Deforestation
: Deforestation refers to the clearing, removal, or destruction of forests. It involves the permanent conversion of forested areas into non-forest land for various purposes such as agriculture, urbanization, or logging.Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROEI)
: EROEI is a measure of the amount of usable energy obtained from an energy source compared to the amount of energy invested to obtain it. It helps determine the efficiency and sustainability of different energy sources.Ethanol
: Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is produced from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass through fermentation. It is commonly used as a biofuel additive in gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Landfill Gas
: Landfill gas is the mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of organic waste in landfills. It primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide and can be captured and utilized as an energy source.
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