Biomass 101
According to the Biofuels Association of Australia, Biomass is a renewable energy source made up of organic matter derived from living or recently living organisms. Most often, this matter contains plants or plant-based materials like wood. To produce energy, biomass is burned. Biomass as an energy source has been used for tens of thousands of years, when humans first discovered that fire created heat. Biomass energy today is much more sophisticated and has many uses and functions, including heating, cooking, running turbines, and powering cars and equipment with biofuels.
How is biomass energy created?
Biomass energy is created by converting a material source, or “building blocks” into energy. These building blocks include: wood, garbage, waste, landfill gases, forestry residues and alcohol fuels. Source: http://biofuelsassociation.com.au/biofuels/biomass/
There are a variety of ways to convert biomass into energy, including: gasification, combined heat and power, and direct combustion.
What is biofuel?
Biofuel is a fuel produced by biomass that takes the form of solids, gas or liquids. Liquid biofuel is easily transportable.
Two of the most common types of biofuel are ethanol (created from corn, sugar cane, potato and others) and biodiesel (made from vegetable oils like soybean, and animal fats). Source: https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/solutions/technologies/biomass.html
Advanced technologies can now extract biofuels from materials such as wood, crops and waste materials. Source: http://biofuelsassociation.com.au/biofuels/biomass/
Where is biomass energy found?
Biomass energy is found all over the globe. Because it can be created by various materials and in numerous ways, it truly is a renewable energy source that is everywhere.
Why is biomass a renewable energy source?
Biomass energy is renewable because the organisms it is derived from are abundant, and always being replenished (think crops, plants, waste), thanks to the sun!
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