Biomass

Biomass is plant and animal waste. Biomass energy resources include tree and grass crops, forestry, agriculture and urban wastes. Biomass is a renewable energy source that comes from the sun. The plants convert the carbon dioxide from the air and water into carbohydrates, complex compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen through photosynthesis. When the carbohydrates are burned, they turn back into carbon dioxide; this is the way biomass is produced. Biomass can be converted into liquid fuels and gases to generate energy. These crops can be grown in farms for energy purposes and as long as it is produced sustainably, using only as much as is grown, biomass energy production will last forever. The processes used to convert biomass into energy are: thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical methods. However, biomass does not contain as much energy per pound as fossil fuels do. Biomass reduces air and water pollution. Energy rich crops used to produce energy improve soil quality, building up topsoil and putting nutrients into the ground. If native crops are used for biomass production wildlife habitats can improve on land and in aquatic environments. Carbon dioxide is still emitted into the environment, though it is considered to be carbon neutral because it is recycled back into the environment. Biomass energy is expensive to produce and convert. And there is a net loss of energy on a small scale put into growing the plants in massive amounts.

References:

How Biomass energy works. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-biomass-energy-works.html

Energy matters. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/biomass/advant.html