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.
