Biomass Energy | Bio Fuels, Advantages, Disadvantages, Applications

Table of Contents

Biomass energy is a form of renewable energy which is obtained from biomass. Biomass is the material produced by the growth of microorganisms, plants or animals. Its examples are plants, animal manure, human sewage etc. All biomass is based on Carbon, Oxygen and Hydrogen.

Plant derived biomass contains carbon and energy of sunlight (obtained from photosynthesis). When burned it generates carbon dioxide but still considered renewable (as per UN and EU legal framework) because this carbon dioxide will cycle back to new plants by photosynthesis.

Following are some examples of biomass

Types of Biomass

Human sewage and animal manure: It can be converted to bio-gas, which can be stored and used later.
Wood, food and other wastage (papers etc.) in garbage: Wood and papers can be directly used to obtain thermal energy. Food can be converted into bio-gas.
Agricultural crops and agricultural waste material: Agricultural crops like Miscanthus and Switchgrass can be converted into bio fuel. Agricultural waste material can be burned directly to obtain thermal energy.
Wood and wood processing waste: It can be burned directly to obtain thermal energy.

Note: Thermal energy obtained from biomass can easily be converted into mechanical and electrical energy at some suitable facility.

Bio fuels

Bio fuel is the fuel like gasoline, it can be burned to obtain thermal energy. Bio fuels can be classified into two generations.

First generation bio fuels

These type of bio fuels are derived from food sources. For example, fermentation of corn starch and sugar cane to produce bio-ethanol. Bio-ethanol is a type of alcohol which can be burned to obtain thermal energy.

Second generation bio fuels

These type of bio fuels are derived from nonfood sources. For example, low input energy crops (Miscanthus and Switchgrass), municipal and agricultural wastage.

Advantages of biomass energy

It is cheap compared to fossil fuels.
It helps in waste material utilization.
It generates less carbon (or is carbon neutral).
It doesn’t contain mercury and Sulfur.
Human and animal waste will always be there for its production.
It reduces dependency on fossil fuels.
It can make a reduce dependency on foreign countries for oil.
It is renewable source of energy.
While purchasing wastage of other manufacturing units it can add to their revenue.
It can decrease garbage in landfills.

Disadvantages of biomass energy

It contains less energy density compared to fossil fuels.
Energy crops can occupy land space which should be used for farming.
If not controlled properly it can lead to deforestation.
It is not entirely clean like other renewable sources of energy. When burned it also generates carbon.
Cost of energy extraction is more compared to fossil fuels.