Ways to Use Biomass Energy

There are many different ways to use biomass energy. Today, we are going to look at four different categories: biofuels, biopower, bioproducts, and space heating and cooling.

Biofuels

The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. The most familiarly used form of ethanol is made from the starch in corn grain, and it is added into petroleum-based fuels to reduce toxic air emissions and increase octane. It is also available as an alternative fuel known as E-85. This type of fuel contains 83% ethanol during the summer and 70% in the winter.

Biodiesel, on the other hand, is made from soybean oil. Though not as popular as its ethanol counterpart, it has significant benefits to air quality. Biodiesel is usually mixed at 20% with petroleum diesel, and it is called B-20. The same process that is used to create biofuels can also be used to create antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeteners and toothpaste gels.

Biopower/Biopower

The only renewable electrical generation that is used more than biopower is hydropower. Biomass is created using direct combustion using conventional boilers that burn waste wood products. Steam is produced by this combustion, which, in turn, spins a turbine, activating a generator that creates electricity.

When biomass is turned to gas prior to this combustion, toxic materials are removed from the process. These systems are useful for powering isolated communities with electricity. There are significant amounts of biomass resources in the eastern half of the United States.

Bioproducts

Bioproducts are products that can be made from fossil fuels. These products general require a reduced amount of energy to create than petroleum-based products. If oxygen is present when heating biomass, more of the two gases produced. This process is called biosynthesis, and it can be utilized to create plastics and acids. These, in turn, can be used to create photographic films, textiles, and synthetic fabrics.

On the other hand, when biomass is heated without oxygen, pyrolysis oil is formed and phenol can be extracted from this formation. Wood adhesives, molded plastics, and foam insulation can then be created from phenol.

Space Heating and Cooling

“Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical US home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.” Because there are many options available in regards to heating and cooling, it is important to research the most efficient ways to utilize renewable energy. Whether you are installing the systems into a new home, or replacing the systems in an existing home, numerous choices are at your disposal.

Why Aren’t We Using More Renewable Energy Already?

If you’re wondering why the world is still so reliant on fossil fuels like oil, petrol and diesel, and why there isn’t more renewable energy used, then perhaps you are about to find out.

Consumers like the convenience of petrol and diesel for vehicles, whether for private or public transport. Cars are as popular as ever, despite recent oil price rises, and for most people, the car is the most convenient way of travelling.

Low cost flights have also meant that worldwide travel is available to almost everyone, and it’s often cheaper to fly abroad than to get a train within the UK.

Electric vehicles are not practical enough yet, and have a short range before they need to be recharged. This makes long journeys impossible, and motorway speeds are not realistically attainable. Whilst ideal for travelling short distances in congested cities, electric vehicles are not likely to replace petrol and diesel vehicles anytime soon.

Wind power is seen as a credible alternative energy to fossil fuels for producing electricity, but it can’t be used everywhere yet, and is seen as an eyesore for some residents who’s views, or land is spoilt by wind turbines. A turbine only produces electricity around 25% of the time, so it is not very efficient.

Solar power is popular in some countries, and the technology is improving all the time, and even in the UK there are some homes and businesses that are powered by solar energy. The technology is improving and nowadays daylight rather than just sunlight can be used, meaning that solar power may become more popular.

Nuclear power isn’t seen as safe by all, and despite reassurances that it is, and there is widespread opposal to plans to create nuclear power stations, and alternatives to nuclear power are being investigated.

Water power such as tidal or using rivers to produce energy is not new. Waterwheels and dams have been used for years. Using water to drive turbines to create electricity is not common yet in the UK, even though the UK is an island.

Biomass is another increasing popular form of renewable energy. It uses organic matter, such as waste products, or crops grown especially to be used as fuel. Biomass has arguably the best chance of being accepted more widely. Already used as biodiesel, biomass is becoming more popular thanks to increasing media coverage. Combined biomass heat and power plants create power. Heat is created as part of the power process. This heat is normally lost, whereas in a combined heat and power plant the heat is used to heat the building or water. In domestic environment environments, wood burning stoves for cooking and heating is an example of biomass energy.

Biomass also makes use of waste products that would otherwise be sent to landfill. Waste wood can be burnt as fuel; methane gas from landfill sites can be used as a fuel, and fruit and vegetable peelings and waste can be used as compost in the garden.

As global warming increases, and the amount of fossil fuels decrease, there will be more investment and research into renewable energy for both domestic commercial applications.

Now you know more about renewable energy, isn’t it time you did your bit and reduced your reliance on fossil fuels?