Biomass
Biomass is any organic matter, such as wood, crops, or waste, that can be used as a source of energy. Biomass has the potential to produce heat, electricity, and transportation fuels as renewable energy sources, which can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change.
History
For thousands of years, biomass has been used as a source of energy. People have used wood, animal dung, and other organic waste to cook food and heat their homes throughout history. During the Industrial Revolution, biomass was also employed to power machinery such as steam engines. Because of the spread of fossil fuels, biomass has lost its popularity as a key energy source. With technological improvements in recent years, biomass has become a more important renewable energy source, with applications in heat and electricity generation, transportation, and a variety of sectors.
Conversions
Several processes can be used to convert biomass into different types of energy, such as heat, electricity, and biofuels. Thermochemical conversion methods such as combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis are used to generate heat, electricity, and biofuels. Fermentation and anaerobic digestion are two biochemical conversion processes that generate liquid biofuels and biogas. Gasification converts biomass into gas for power generation or biofuel production, whereas combustion burns biomass for heat and electricity generation, and pyrolysis heats biomass without oxygen to generate bio-oil, char and biogas.
Zero Carbon
Understanding Biomass and its Carbon Neutrality
Biomass is considered a carbon-neutral energy source since the CO2 emitted during burning or conversion is balanced by the CO2 absorbed during plant development. This balance results in a net-zero rise in atmospheric CO2, making biomass an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. However, factors such as biomass source, production methods, and transportation can have an impact on carbon neutrality, focusing on the significance of responsible and sustainable biomass production and use.
