"Biomass" has become something of a buzzword in recent years but what exactly does it mean? It means woody materials or agricultural waste, (such as rice hulls, sugar cane, or corn stalks), as well as animal waste. These can be used as fuels to produce bioenergy. Biomass fuels are currently second only to water as a source of renewable power. Even garbage (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen based) can be used as a BF (Biomass Fuel). Waste products from the pulp, paper, and paperboard industries are a large source of biomass fuels in the United States. BF sources range by geographic region. Forest byproducts are the largest source of biomass fuels in the U.S., while rice hulls are big in southeast Asia.
Mankind has been using biomass fuels ever since we discovered how to make fire and what we needed to keep it burning. Everything from urban wood waste to animal dung can be burned to produce bioenergy. The best thing about BF is that it consists of things we already have or can easily produce - things that might otherwise go into the landfill. Speaking of landfills, even the methane gas that is emitted from landfills can be burned as a BF to produce electricity. The fact that these things are already available on earth means that they are already emitting carbon into the atmosphere, as opposed to coal, which, when burned, releases carbon that has been sequestered underground for thousands of years, adding significantly to the present carbon load.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), biomass fuels provided about 4% of the energy used in 2010. Biomass advantages include reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, which has both environmental and geopolitical benefits. Using biomass power helps reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which clearly has both environmental and economic advantages.
Biomass fuels are readily available around the world, making them a clear winner in the search for a renewable fuel source. Biomass engineering is essential to convert coal-burning power plants to biomass power plants capable of burning both coal and BF. It is vital that companies interested in converting their plants consult a knowledgeable biomass energy company to help ensure that they've got the latest in biomass technology, the best biomass engineering, the right equipment and fuel conveying systems, and a steady supply of BF. It is critical that power plants using biomass fuels have a long-term supply of biomass fuels, often referred to as a "fuel supply contract" or "fuel supply agreement." Without such an agreement, biomass power companies run the risk of losing their advantage.
Biomass power plants will have an important role in the global search for renewable energy sources, and readily available biomass fuels will make that role even more essential. Converting older coal-burning power plants into biomass power plants can create jobs, provide continued employment, and prevent a power plant from falling into disuse. Designing these conversions to allow for fuel flexibility can help offset potential fuel supply problems down the road.
Properly engineered, biomass power plants can be one of the most significant energy advances in the 21st century.
Mankind has been using biomass fuels ever since we discovered how to make fire and what we needed to keep it burning. Everything from urban wood waste to animal dung can be burned to produce bioenergy. The best thing about BF is that it consists of things we already have or can easily produce - things that might otherwise go into the landfill. Speaking of landfills, even the methane gas that is emitted from landfills can be burned as a BF to produce electricity. The fact that these things are already available on earth means that they are already emitting carbon into the atmosphere, as opposed to coal, which, when burned, releases carbon that has been sequestered underground for thousands of years, adding significantly to the present carbon load.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), biomass fuels provided about 4% of the energy used in 2010. Biomass advantages include reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, which has both environmental and geopolitical benefits. Using biomass power helps reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which clearly has both environmental and economic advantages.
Biomass fuels are readily available around the world, making them a clear winner in the search for a renewable fuel source. Biomass engineering is essential to convert coal-burning power plants to biomass power plants capable of burning both coal and BF. It is vital that companies interested in converting their plants consult a knowledgeable biomass energy company to help ensure that they've got the latest in biomass technology, the best biomass engineering, the right equipment and fuel conveying systems, and a steady supply of BF. It is critical that power plants using biomass fuels have a long-term supply of biomass fuels, often referred to as a "fuel supply contract" or "fuel supply agreement." Without such an agreement, biomass power companies run the risk of losing their advantage.
Biomass power plants will have an important role in the global search for renewable energy sources, and readily available biomass fuels will make that role even more essential. Converting older coal-burning power plants into biomass power plants can create jobs, provide continued employment, and prevent a power plant from falling into disuse. Designing these conversions to allow for fuel flexibility can help offset potential fuel supply problems down the road.
Properly engineered, biomass power plants can be one of the most significant energy advances in the 21st century.
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