Biomass Energy and Biomass Fuel
As we plow ahead into the next decade, there is more and more of an urgent need to save our environment by replacing fossil-fuels with renewable energy sources. One of the more promising renewable energy sources is called Biomass.
Biomass is any organic material which can be used as a fuel. Biomass energy sources include wood resources and wastes, agricultural residues including wheat straw and barley straw. Biomass energy can also be tapped by from agricultural wastes, like corn cobs. Almost all biomass resources can be used in some way or other.
Biomass, unlike fossil fuels, is a carbon neutral form of energy. Fossil fuels are trapped forms of carbon from a previous carbon cycle. By burning fossil fuels, this trapped carbon is re-released into the atmosphere, which places additional carbon dioxide into the cycle that contributes to the green house effect and increases temperatures. As biomass is energy which is part of the current carbon cycle, no additional carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere.
Biomass is also a renewable form of energy because the growth of new plants and trees replenishes the supply. Renewable simply means the rate of consumption and resource replacement are equal. While fossil fuels are not replaced, new plant growth creates additional sources of biomass.
Experts estimate the global population could double over the next ten to twenty years and the dwindling reserves of fossil-fuels could be replaced by that renewable energy source - Biomass. Using Biomass in conjunction with other renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind power may help meet the world’s demand for energy without negatively effecting the environment.
Perhaps the most efficient, economical and safe use of biomass fuel is to convert it into pellet form. Biomass in pellet form are more economical to transport (pellets are denser), and safer to transport (risks of the loose biomass explosion due to dust). This alternative fuel can replace the use of heating oil and coal. Biomass is an excellent source of alternative fuel because it can be used for industrial use or for heating individual homes in pellet stoves and boilers.
We can all expect to see a significant increase in the use of renewable energy sources such as Biomass to supply the power needed to survive.
source: biomasspelletmill.com, oregon.gov
