Biomass

[Jessica]

Biomass is organic material derived from plants and animals. When burned, biomass releases heat or electricity. Methane gas also known as “biogas”, ethanol and biodiesel are usable forms of energy converted from biomass. Fermented crops such as corn also produce ethanol and transportation fuel. Biogas is released from human and agricultural waste and biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats. It is believed that about 14% of the world's primary energy consumptions are supplied by biomass. Industry experts expect an increase of biomass in developing countries over the coming years due to the depletion of fossil fuels and an increase in demand.

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Green Networking

[lilypotter]

I agree with you Jessica, here is some more information about biomass. Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the by-products from the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, major parts of household waste and wood.

Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel. Its advantage is that it can be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now burning fossil fuels. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas.

Traditional use of biomass is more than its use in modern application. In the developed world biomass is again becoming important for applications such as combined heat and power generation. In addition, biomass energy is gaining significance as a source of clean heat for domestic heating and community heating applications. In fact in countries like Finland, USA and Sweden the per capita biomass energy used is higher than it is in India, China or in Asia.