For centuries, fossil fuel has been used as an energy source. Sources like coal, petroleum oil, and natural gas are major contributors to our energy resources. They tend to supply more than 80% of energy all around the world. But the question is, are they a sustainable energy source?
We all know that the answer to this question is a big fat no. This is because they are nonrenewable sources. With the increasing population, these cannot meet our need for heat and electricity. We need to find more environment-friendly and effective options.
The best option that we have right now is to use renewable Biomass. Biomass is the most energy-efficient and safe source of energy. Let us discuss in detail about these alternative energy sources.
What is Biomass Energy?
Before we go into the details of how biomass energy is better, let us find out what Biomass fuels are. Biomass has energy in it that can be released to produce renewable electricity or heat.
We can extract this energy content through many methods. Some of them are:
- Combustion of Biomass.
- Gasification of dry Biomass
- Biogas (methane) are taken out through controlled anaerobic digestion.
Combining biomass and fossil fuels, typically coal, in power plants is a cost-effective method. It also decreases glasshouse gas emissions, enhances cost-efficiency, and minimizes air pollutants. Thermal energy (heating and cooling) is commonly generated on a small scale by burning wood pellets, wood chips, and other dry biomass sources.
CHP operations are known for their high efficiency in utilizing biomass energy, making them a popular choice. These facilities take out the excess heat and steam generated by biopower production. You can distribute it to neighboring buildings for heating purposes or to chillers for cooling.
What are Bioenergy Crops?
Sources of energy from Biomass are called biomass energy or bioenergy. There are many sources for these biomass crops. Some of their benefits are discussed below and can fulfill our energy needs.
- In comparison to oil or coal, energy crops are a much more plentiful and cheap raw material.
- The agricultural industry will benefit from sustainable agriculture and energy crops because they are not only cost-effective and highly productive but also help protect the soil and stop it from washing away.
- One of the most hopeful alternatives to fossil fuels is bioenergy produced from these types of crops because it is efficient, renewable, and long-term sustainable.
- Energy crops help reduce glasshouse gas pollution. They help move the world closer to decarbonization by making the world less reliant on fossil fuels.
- Biofuels made from these sources of Biomass are very important for changing the transportation sector, which is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions.
- Energy crops help the circular economy because they reuse natural resources in a way that is good for the Earth.
- When it comes to the economy, energy crops are a great way to start new businesses. They create jobs, which is especially helpful in rural areas.
Efficiency of Biomass Energy from Plants and Animals
The efficiency of this renewable energy source has increased the yield of Biomass and energy. The use of Biomass can also decrease the need for large areas of plantation and forestation. Instead, we can prioritize the growing of biomass energy crops.
In the past few years, there has been a lot of interest in and use of renewable energy. This is mostly because of the major problems that come with using fossil fuels, like how quickly they run out and how they damage the environment when they are burned.
People have used many of the sources we now call renewable energies, like hydropower, wind power, and Biomass, for thousands of years, long before fossil fuels were invented.
Ways to Convert Biomass into Renewable Energy
Biomass is converted to energy through various processes, including:
- Direct combustion (burning) to produce heat
- Thermochemical conversion to produce solid, gaseous, and liquid fuels
- Chemical conversion to produce liquid fuels
- Biological conversion to produce liquid and gaseous fuels
Direct combustion is the most common method used to generate useful energy from Biomass. All Biomass can be burned directly, or you can combust it for heating buildings and water. It is used to provide heat for industrial processes and for generating electricity in steam turbines.
How can Biomass be Converted into Biofuel?
Biomass pyrolysis and gasification are examples of thermochemical change. At high temperatures, both processes are thermal decomposition processes in which biomass feedstock materials are heated in closed, pressurized containers.
These vessels are known as gasifiers. The main differences between the processes are the temperatures and the amount of air present during the change.
- For pyrolysis to happen, organic materials must be heated to between 400° F and 500° C (800° F and 900° F) with almost no free air present. Biomass pyrolysis makes fuels like hydrogen, bio-oil, renewable diesel, charcoal, and bio-oil.
- Hydrotreating is a way to turn bio-oil (made by fast pyrolysis) into renewable diesel, renewable gasoline, and renewable jet fuel by heating and pressurizing it with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures.
- When you gasify organic materials, you heat them to between 1,400° F and 1,700° F (800° C and 900° C). You need to add controlled amounts of free oxygen or steam to the tank. This makes synthesis gas, which is a gas that is high in carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
- Syngas can be used to heat homes, power diesel engines, and make energy in gas turbines. You can also treat it to get the hydrogen out of the gas. The hydrogen can be burned or put into fuel cells. By using the Fischer–Tropsch method, the syngas can be turned into liquid fuel.
Biomass and the Environment
Biomass is an important part of the carbon cycle on Earth. Carbon moves back and forth between the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, ecosystem, and lithosphere. This is called the carbon cycle.
Carbon moves through the cycle in many ways. Carbon helps keep the Earth’s atmosphere in balance by controlling how much sunshine gets in. It is changed by photosynthesis, decomposition, breathing, and everyday activities.
Soil may recycle carbon that is taken in when an organism breaks down, for example, when a plant sends carbon-based nutrients into the biosphere through photosynthesis. If the conditions are right, the organism that is breaking down could turn into peat, coal, or oil before it is removed by humans or natural processes.
When fossil fuels are mined and burned for energy, the carbon that they store is released into the air. Carbon is not taken back up by fossil fuels. Unlike fossil fuels, Biomass comes from living things that were only recently alive. The carbon cycle can keep moving the carbon in plants around.
Conclusion
Now we know why biomass plants are a better energy source. It is imperative that we use Biomass for energy generation to keep our environment safe and our needs fulfilled. There are many biopower technologies that convert renewable Biomass into energy.
All you need is to find the right details. For more information, you can reach us.