Examples of Biomass Biomass is the organic matter contained in plants. It is produced by photosynthesis and is, therefore, a form of solar energy. Examples of/useful biomasses include wood, wood residues left over from the timber industry, crop residues, manure, urban wastes, industrial wastes, and municipal sewage. These biomasses can provide large amounts of energy. One of the most important contributions from biomass would be ethanol, a fuel that can be used in vehicles. In addition, burnable municipal trash could likewise produce electricity, and steam, supplementing coal and other fossil fuels(Chiras, 1989, pp. 271-272). Many energy sources today struggle to control their CO2 emissions, as these can cause harm to the ozone layer and increase the effects of greenhouse gases, potentially warming the planet. Biomass, for the most part, creates no harmful CO2 emissions.
Biogas Biogas is a gaseous mixture that is about two-thirds …show more content…
Biomass is widely available and naturally distributed. It has generally low cost inputs, it has a low carbon emission(it’s cleaner than fossil fuels), and it can turn waste into energy, therefore helping to deal with waste(i.e., landfills). Furthermore, it can be domestically produced for energy independence(Siegel, triplepundit.com, 2012). Lastly, the use of biomass can reduce dependence on foreign oil because biofuels are the only renewable liquid transportation fuels available.(nrel.gov, retrieved 2015)
Biomass Cons Although biomass is a renewable energy with a lot of potential, it’s not without cons.
First off, some methane and CO2 gases are emitted during production, it requires extensive energy to produce(with little or no net gain in some cases), and it can lead to deforestation, since one of the most common biomass feedstocks is wood(Siegel, triplepundit.com,