Biomass and the Environment

Using biomass for energy can have a lot of positive

and negative impacts on society and the environment.
An alternative for fossil fuel.
When burning fossil or biomass, it releases CO2 Which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). But when the plants
that are the source of biomass are grown, a nearly equivalent amount of CO2 is captured through
photosynthesis.
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
being grown
Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

These gases trap the heat in the atmosphere, which makes the Earth warmer.
Carbon dioxide is the most produce greenhouse gas but there are other kinds of
greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gas and others not
mentioned.
 Water vapor is also a GHG.
As the planet gets warmer, more water is turned into water vapor, which makes it more
hard for the heat to escape the atmosphere, meaning more global warming. This is an
example of positive feedback loop which happens warming causes changes that leads to
more warming.
Percentage of Gases the People Emit
Everyday
These greenhouse gases don't just stay in one
place after they're added to the atmosphere.
Biomass activities

Burning wood
Burning MSW (Municipal Solid Waste)
Disposing of Ash from Waste to Energy Plants
Collecting landfill gas and biogas
Manufacturing ethanol and biodiesel.
Benefits and Potential Impacts for the People
using Biomass

Community
Biomass can be taken anywhere as long as it is combustible.
By using biomass as source of energy, most waste wont go to landfills therefore avoiding the landfill tax.
They provide opportunities for recreation and leisure activities.
Growth of energy crops could compete with food cropping as a demand for biomass increase
Biomass users may be locked in to long term supply contract.
Environmental Benefits and Impact on
Biomass

Establishing local production networks and lowers the financial and environmental transport costs.
Biomass fuels generate less pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and CO2. Modern Biomass combustion
systems are highly sophisticated, offering combustion efficiency and emission levels comparable with the
best fossil fuel burners.
There is the potential for biomass to be taken from unsustainable, non-certified, forest sources.
There are some negative impacts of forest management and farming of biomass crops on ecosystems
and habitats. Therefore, an environmental impact assessment for forestry and cropping is required.
Transporting biomass has noise and emissions implications.
There are high levels of water use for biomass cropping which can be problematic in areas where
access to water is limited.
Awesome Process of Biomass
Applications
Biomass Power
Plant
Biomass Energy Production Cycle
Biomass; Alternative to Fossil Fuels?

The greatest motivator for producing biofuels is the global warming caused by the constant burning of fossil
fuels. On the other hand, the biofuels are supposed to cause less pollution, and they are also biodegradable.
Of course this means food that could have been used to feed millions of starving people is being used to
produce fuel. According to World Bank around 100 million people face starvation in the wake of the current
food-shortage crisis. Although many claim that the food shortage has been triggered by a sudden shift in the
eating habits of people in China and India, the impact of biofuel production on food-security cannot be
ignored. You can also add to this the accelerated rate of deforestation once every kind of plant can be used as
fuel, and once more and more land is needed to grow crops needed to produce oil.
So whats the alternative? Although biofuels are far better than fossil fuels, they shouldnt be produced by
starving people and destroying the already-depleting forests. Better alternatives like wind energy, solar
energy, energy produced by tidal waves and nuclear energy can completely revolutionize the energy scenario
in the world. All we need is the political will, and the will to put humanity above economy.
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Biomass Energy
Advantages

No Harmful Emmisions
Clean Energy
Abundant and Renewable
Reduce Dependency on Fossil Fuel
Reduce Landfills
Can be used to create a lot of other things.
Disadvantages

Expensive
Inefficient as Compared to Fossil Fuels
Harmful to the environment
Consume more fuel
Require More Land