Biomass Advantages

Biomass advantages: There is no denying that Biomass energy is one of the safest, cleanest, and most renewable sources of energy around. It certainly beats the socks off fossil fuels for environmental cleanliness!

As well as being better for the environment, it can also be much cheaper than traditional fuels. There is a much smaller cost in extracting bio fuels for energy production-no expensive oil rigs, and no drilling for natural gas. Biomass energy can be easily used in everyday energy production through the relatively simple process of combustion.   

Biomass is very Versatile.

It can be converted directly into energy through combustion, creating heat and electricity, or it can be changed through various chemical processes into liquid fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel for our transportation needs.  

Biomass can be converted into several different forms of energy. Some examples are wood, which can be processed and turned into gas; landfills which produce methane, which along with corn, wheat and other materials, can be used to manufacture liquid fuel ethanol. 

When a biomass power station is used to the fullest of its potential, it can be multi faceted and very useful. The by-products of the combustion, heat and steam, can be used in agriculture (for example, many efficient power stations have greenhouses attached, where the heat can be used to grow crops like tomatoes.) 

Using biomass can help reduce climate change, as it does not increase the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When direct combustion (burning) is not used, there is minimal environmental impact as carbon is not released. Some alternatives to combustion are:  

·         Pyrolysis  

Biomass is heated in an oxygen free environment to produce a gas, which when cooled creates bio oil which can be used in the same way as petroleum, and a charcoal like substance which can be used for heating in the same way as coal.  

·         Gasification  

Similar to Pyrolysis, the biomass solids are heated (not burnt) to produce a fuel gas, which is then used to generate electricity. Gasifying biomass is nearly twice as effective as direct burning, and has a much lower environmental impact.  

·         Anaerobic Digestion   

This involves using certain bacteria which “digest” the organic materials and produce bio gas as a waste product. The gas can be used to heat buildings, generate electricity and run engines. 

 Biomass use can result in less waste being sent to landfill sites. The burning of unusable wastes such as bark, tree clippings and construction waste helps reduce the pressure to expand landfill sites, at the same time as producing energy. Less waste in landfill sites means less methane, which contributes to global warming and is produced from decaying organic and plant matter. 

Biomass can be a lot more cost efficient in the long run than fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are in limited supply, and what’s more, they are non replaceable. Biomass is a quick turn around and therefore much more cost effective and widely available. 

Theoretically, biomass is a never ending resource. When managed correctly, the growth of crops for use in biomass power stations can be a year-round thing, meaning that supplies of fuels for generators will never run out. This is also a carbon neutral scheme-anything used as fuel will be replaced by the next crop of bio fuels to be planted.  

There are very many reasons for people and companies all over the world to transfer their reliance from fossil fuels to their environmentally friendly alternatives. Biomass is, quite simply, one of the best!