Alternative Energy HQ solar power for homes, wind energy, and bio fuel issues
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine, an online publication that explores innovations in science and technology.
Renewable energy sources are slowly becoming more popular and some, like biomass power, could change the energy sector forever. Biomass is one of the main renewable energy sources available to us today, though it tends to get overlooked in favor of solar or wind. However, biomass power has a few key environmental benefits that make it arguably the single best renewable energy source in the world.
Fully Renewable
Biomass power is 100% renewable and more of it can be created with minimal harm to the environment. Biomass comes from organic matter that is already naturally occurring, such as plants, animal waste, and other energy-packed forms of carbon.
As a result, biomass can easily fit into a circular economy, where the waste produced from something like agriculture can be used to create renewable energy. This also means that creating more biomass power is simply a matter of growing more trees and plants, which itself is good for the environment.
Unlike many other forms of renewable energy, there are numerous sources of biomass power. Biomass can be collected from landfills, farms, municipal waste, and wood and plant matter. All of these potential sources make biomass power a renewable energy source available around the world, even in landlocked areas lacking sunlight or powerful waterways.
Carbon Neutral or Negative
Biomass could be a critical component in a carbon neutral economy. It is important to note that burning biomass does generate a small amount of greenhouse gas emissions. However, since biomass comes from plant life and organic matter it actually removes CO2 from the environment, as well.
Biomass power is generated by burning organic matter to release the energy stored inside. While direct combustion is the most common method for converting biomass into energy, additional chemical processes can also be used to create liquid biofuels. Despite the environmental impact of combustion, the sources and applications for biomass power can create a carbon neutral or even carbon negative system.
For example, the agriculture industry is one of the largest sources of emissions in the world. As of 2019, agriculture is responsible for 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. By redirecting the waste created by agricultural processes into biomass power generation, biomass could be a carbon-neutral renewable energy source. Depending on how much waste and emissions are absorbed by the biomass power generation process, it could potentially even be carbon negative.
Highly Accessible
One crucial reality about renewable energy is that it cannot do any good for the environment if only a few people are adopting it over non-renewable energy. So, accessibility is critical for a renewable energy source to actually benefit the environment. This is where biomass energy comes into play.
As mentioned above, since biomass power can be generated from several different sources, it is more accessible geographically than some other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. Experts have also pointed out that biomass power is much more affordable than even fossil fuels are, and requires minimal infrastructure to produce.
This accessibility and affordability makes it far easier for nations, communities, and individuals of any economic background or geographic location to adopt biomass power. As more people are able to switch to renewable energy, the entire world will be able to leave fossil fuels behind. At the very least, more areas will be able to be carbon neutral since biomass power generation would reduce waste and emissions from sources like landfills and agriculture.
Easy to Scale
Interestingly, biomass is easily scalable, expanding accessibility to everyday people. Other forms of renewable energy, such as solar power, require expensive infrastructure to function. Biomass operates on basic organic processes, though, meaning that anyone can create rudimentary biomass fuel in something as simple as a composter.
While this compost-created biomass might only be useful for something like gardening, it does open the door for more accessible fully-renewable energy usage. After all, every carbon-neutral home or backyard makes a difference.
At the same time, biomass power generation can occur on a regional scale, providing fuel and power to a whole town or state. A large facility would be needed for this, but the same basic organic processes apply. It is simply a matter of increasing the amount of organic matter being converted and developing an efficient, sustainable production system.
Versatile Applications
As an added benefit, biomass power is extremely versatile. Biomass can be used to create both solid and liquid fuels. This gives it a monumental advantage over other renewable energy sources and makes it crucial to healing the environment. For example, biofuels are a top candidate as a renewable fuel source for jets and airplanes.
Aircraft have a serious impact on the environment, but have been particularly difficult to transition away from traditional fuels. Electric batteries, for example, are still far too heavy at the power capacity needed for most commercial aircraft. However, biomass can be used to create jet-grade liquid biofuels. These green liquid fuels would be easily compatible or adaptable to the preexisting fuel line technology used in planes, but with significantly less carbon emissions.
Biomass Power for a Green Future
Biomass power is the key to a global green future. It’s sheer accessibility and versatility make it an invaluable renewable energy source for billions of people. It could provide an alternative to electric vehicles in areas and economic levels where electric vehicle infrastructure is out of reach. It could revolutionize air travel, slashing aircraft emissions to a fraction of today’s rates. Biomass power could truly bring about a carbon neutral world that is both sustainable and accessible.
