biomass fuel

Sustainable Housing Guide: Biomass Energy Explained

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Going green, making life as eco-friendly as possible; of course there are simple steps and tricks to adapt every home and garden. Surely the biggest change to come will be that of energy – where will it come from? Solar panels? Biomass?

A great place to practically see renewable energy in a working environment is its use in contemporary sustainable housing. Modern eco-architects love nothing more than passive buildings i.e. zero carbon footprint, no energy input our damaging output. Indeed that case is fairly rare even now, but in the struggle to go 100% green those very designers are creating fantastic garden buildings that give a fabulous little insight into the future of eco-living.

But while it’s great to read the words “eco-friendly biomass water heater” who actually understand the workings behind them?

Smog and greenhouse gases are caused by the burning of fossil fuels which causes the production of harmful chemicals like COv(2) to be, in turn, released into the atmosphere.

Whilst biomass is technically a fuel, the rate at which COv(2) is released into the atmosphere during incineration is proportional to that removed from the atmosphere by new plant growth (plants which will be used as future biomass fuel), making biomass a zero carbon renewable energy source.

The most prevalent application of biomass in the home is for water heating. Biomass boilers are already a prevalent facet of eco-designed garden buildings, and their place in the modern home could encourage savings of around £450 annually.

The current immaturity of the UK biomass fuel market is a key consideration, however future eco-living will rely heavily on such renewable sources, making the use of fossil fuels in the home an obsolete practice. Although part of a burgeoning market, the technology and environmental applications of biomass fuel are mushrooming wonderfully year after year, ensuring its place in the future of contemporary eco-home design.

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An Introduction to Biomass Fuels

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Do you dream of creating biomass power? If so, it’s important that you have a firm understanding of biomass fuels. The following should provide you with enough information to get you started on the path to generating clean, green power.

• Biomass fuels burn cleaner than fossil fuels—As everyone knows, burning fossil fuels pollutes the Earth’s atmosphere. But when you burn biomass fuels, you join the good fight against global warming. This is due to the fact that burning biomass fuel recycles carbon dioxide already in the carbon cycle, as opposed to burning coal, which releases carbon stored eons ago.  As a result, you produce less noxious fumes to pollute our air when you burn biomass. And not only that, but you will also positively affect your public perception. Everyone loves a “Green” company. 

• They’re one of the most reliable alternative energy fuel sources—One worry many people have when switching to alternative energy sources is their perceived lack of reliability.

Let’s face it—no one has found a fool-proof plan for harnessing the energy of the sun, making solar energy unreliable. The solar cells simply do not operate with a high level of efficiency. And when it comes to harnessing wind energy, you just can’t predict wind patterns well enough to rely on it as your sole energy source. However, with biomass it’s different. One of the biggest advantages to burning biomass fuels is that the raw materials needed are always being produced in the timber harvest process, where it’s called “waste.”

• You need to match proper biomass technology to your biomass fuel sources—Some people fail when it comes to using biomass fuels. And usually it’s for one simple reason—they don’t have the correct technology to properly process it. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a biomass energy company experienced in analyzing raw materials and matching them with proper technology.

• A biomass energy engineering company can help you turn your ideas into money—You stand to benefit from doing business with a biomass energy company. That said, you need to make sure you pick one that has plenty of experience. There are lots of fly-by-night companies out there, but you want one that has been dealing with biomass fuels for decades. They’ll know how to handle all aspects of your project, ensuring financial success.

• Biomass fuels can be burned with fossil fuels through the process of co-firing—Some people think they can’t use biomass fuels because they own pre-existing power plants that burn coal or other fossil fuels. If that describes your line of thinking, then you need to look into co-firing. This option allows you to continue burning fossil fuels while simultaneously burning biomass fuels. The result? You cut down on fossil fuel use and can meet changing government energy regulations. There’s no need to build new facilities. You just adapt the system you already have in place.

Still interested? If so, the next step is a simple one. Find a biomass energy company that can help get you started.

Learn more about biomass energy and biomass technology at EvergreenEngineering.Com.

Important Facts About Biofuel Production

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Biomass fuel production in different countries can be a touchy subject, because not all countries agree with the production and use of biofuels. India is very outspoken in their dissent, because of the mistaken belief that biofuel production takes away from the food supply and contributes to global hunger. Biofuels are produced from biomass, which is an organic material such as dead plant particles, manure or municipal solid waste. More than 20 countries so far have biofuel production facilities and programs in place, with others moving forward in this arena as well. Biofuels do not have to be made with corn or soybeans, Germany is using rapeseed, and there are many other sources that do not come from food crops. These fuels are the future of the energy used globally, because soon fossil fuels will be gone. Biofuels are an environmentally friendly alternative that will be used to meet future energy needs.

It is not widely understood by many but biofuel production can help third world economies instead of causing problems. The production of these fuels offers many benefits to these economies. The entire economy of the local area can be improved. Using local employees and materials mean more income and taxes, as well as an improved infrastructure to serve the plant and community. Farmers would be paid regularly for their crops, and the transportation of these materials is much less because they are local. Biofuels and food do not have to compete, and farmers can grow food crops on fertile land and grow biofuel crops on land that is useless for any food farming.

One of the advantages of biofuel production is that biomass fuel can be produced at comparably low cost. Whenever fuel is produced, regardless of the origin of the fuel, cost is always going to be a factor. Just a few years ago biofuels were not widely produced, and this led to a higher cost for these fuels. Ethanol, biodiesel and biogas can all be produced at a low cost financially, and a large benefit ecologically. These fuels offer many benefits and are seeing more widespread use. Ethanol is alcohol based and created through a fermentation process. Biodiesel uses oils and fats from plants and other organic materials in a process called transesterification. Biogas is usually produced from specially designed landfills and waste to energy plants and programs. Using these biofuels can also help to combat a global warming.

In a recent amazing discovery, growing biofuel on trees is also possible. There is a specific tree, called the diesel oil tree, that can be tapped to recover an oil that is remarkably easy to turn into biodiesel. This tree will produce the oil for seventy years, and Australian farmers are growing plantations of them. A fungus, called Gliocladium roseum has been located in trees in the Patagonia rainforest, and it creates carbon chains identical to the ones found in petroleum. Unfortunately, right now these are only produced under very strict and narrow conditions, but the breakthrough has lead to more research. Biodiesel can play a big part in reducing pollution and global warming, and making the earth a better place to live for everyone.

The benefits of bio fuel production to the world are many. Fossil fuels are quickly being depleted and can not be replaced. Alternative sources of energy are numerous, and eco-friendly, but most of these, like solar, wind, and ocean energy, can not be used to power a vehicle. These technologies can be used to provide heat and electricity for homes and buildings though. Biofuels are carbon neutral so they do not speed up global warming, they are an environmentally friendly source of fuel that is renewable, and they are the answer to meeting the fuel needs of the future. Any organic material can be used to make biofuels, and these fuels can make a big difference to the planet. Until recently though, they were not in high demand because of the low cost and availability of fossil fuels.

All About Biomass

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Where renewable energy sources are concerned, biomass is the newest member of the family. Nevertheless, it is gaining ground as a viable source of energy production in a world trying to rid itself of dependence on fossil fuels. For all intents and purposes, biomass uses the biological material from living organisms to produce energy. These materials are normally incinerated for the purposes of producing electricity or heat. Examples of such biological material include:

• waste wood• grain alcohol• yard clippings• hydrogen gas• certain components of normal, everyday garbage

Dedicated Biomass Production

Though biomass as a renewable energy source still largely depends on the incineration of “excess material” such as dead trees and yard clippings, materials for industrial use are being grown specifically for biomass purposes. Various plants such as switch grass, hemp, and corn are being grown on farms dedicated to supplying material for industrial biomass applications.

Despite the apparent success of dedicated biomass farming, there is some argument as to whether the energy benefit from such practices is greater than the energy output required to grow the material. There are also questions about the ethical justification of using agricultural land that could produce food for the world’s hungry for biomass production instead.

Biomass in the Fuel Industry

Over the last several years biomass energy has made great inroads into the automotive industry as a fuel source. Engines that can operate on both fossil fuels and biomass fuels are being produced and brought to market. Ethyl alcohol, made from common corn, is an alternative fuel that has been slowly making its way to both urban and suburban gas stations across the country. While the efficiency of biomass fuel tends to be somewhat less, the cheaper cost of the fuel itself still makes it an attractive option to green-minded drivers.

This past summer however, corn prices increased around the world as product was being diverted from the food industry into the biomass fuel industry. Governments in Europe and North America were heavily criticized for reducing the public availability of a food source in favor of fuel. Regardless of whether or not the criticisms were legitimate, the push for biomass fuel in the auto industry continues.

Biochemical Conversion

There is no perfect energy source which is both 100% efficient and 100% friendly to the environment. Where biomass is concerned, one of the biggest contradictions science is trying to overcome lies in the incineration process. Incineration releases CO2 into the atmosphere regardless of the material being burned. Biomass material doesn’t produce any less CO2 than fossil fuels, and in fact, in some cases it produces even more. A 2009 study of Asia’s frequently occurring “giant brown haze” revealed that the haze was caused more by biomass emissions than that of fossil fuels. This is but one example.

To combat the problem, scientists are developing biochemical conversion processes that can turn biomass material into energy without incineration. Biochemical conversion uses bacteria, enzymes, and other micro-organisms to convert biomass into energy. Other biochemical conversion methods are also being studied and developed in labs around the world. If science can overcome the CO2 issue, biomass looks to be a promising technology for the future of energy.

You can keep abreast of all the latest developments in biomass energy by visiting the Clean Green Energy Zone web site. For additional information about renewable and green energy in general, be sure to check out their Green Energy Center.

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An Investigation of Biomass Advantages

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Thinking about getting involved in generating biomass power? Here are some details about the biomass advantage.

Who stands to benefit from producing biomass power?

There are three primary groups that stand to make large gains from biomass power. They are:

* Existing facility owners- Do you run a mill that produces wood waste? If so, don’t send the waste to a landfill ever again. Whether you know it or not, you’re producing biomass fuel as a byproduct of your everyday activities. A biomass engineering expert can help you set up a system to convert your wood waste into biomass electricity. * Public utilities- Already generate electricity? Then you’re the ideal candidate to benefit from biomass advantages. Why? Well, you don’t even have to build a new facility. A biomass energy company can come in, design, and implement a co-firing system in your plant that will allow you to turn a fraction of your power into biomass electricity, meeting changing “go-green” standards. Good for the environment and good for your company too! * Private developers-Private developers who want to make a good investment can also capitalize off biomass. When you pick the right setting, you can build a fully functional biomass power plant. Once it’s all completed, you sell it to someone else who is in the business of running them. You make a profit. They get the plant they wanted. Everyone stands to gain.

Which group do you fit into?

What are the biomass advantages?

Creating biomass power has many advantages. Here are just a few of them:

* It’s clean-When you burn biomass fuels, you reduce the poisonous gases that are typically released into the atmosphere through normal means of generating power. With global warming becoming such a key issue, it’s important to do what you can to stop it.* It’s easy to obtain-Biomass fuel sources are plentiful. You just have to know where to look. By hiring a biomass engineering firm to analyze available resources, you’ll be directed to a plentiful supply of biomass fuels. * It’s green yet reliable-You can’t run from it. Everyone’s pushing to find more sustainable energy resources. And biomass is sitting there right under your nose. Take advantage of a green fuel source that has been time tested.

When is the best time to convert to biomass energy?

In short, the time is now. The federal government is on the verge of cracking down on the energy industry. In order to meet changing federal regulations, it’s crucial that you produce sustainable energy. And with so many biomass advantages, you’d be hard pressed to find a better alternative.

Where is the best area to find biomass fuels?

That answer is different for every region. Your best bet is to employ a biomass energy company to perform a deep analysis of your area’s raw materials. They can identify reliable sources of biomass fuels for you. Don’t go it alone. By hiring one of these companies, you’ll ensure success.

Why should I care about biomass technology?

Well, first, it’s highly profitable. When you install the proper biomass technology for your raw materials, you’ll find that you can benefit from the many biomass advantages. And that’s not just in relation to cash profits. You also need to think about your company’s image. When you produce renewable energy, the public begins to see you in a better light. No longer are you just a power company. You become a leader in the fight against global warming.

The bottom line

There are plenty of biomass advantages for someone just like you to profit from. Contact a biomass energy company to get started.

Know more about Biomass Energy and Biomass Fuels at EvergreenEngineering.com.

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