BIOMASS

WHAT IS BIOMASS?

Biomass is a biological material derived from living, or recently

living organisms. This often means plant based material,

but biomass can equally apply to both animal and vegetable

derived material. Biomass is any organic matter –

wood, crops, seaweed, animal waste – that can be used as an energy source.

It is our oldest energy source (1812) It is a renewable (flow) source

because its supplies are not limited.

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FUN FACT TIME #1 In 1850, 85% of the world’s total

primary energy supply was derived from biomass whereas, in 2005, 85% of the world’s supply was from fossil fuels.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED?

There are five basic categories of material:

Firewood Crops Animal waste Food waste Industrial waste

WHY IS IT GOOD? Biomass takes carbon out of the

atmosphere while it is growing, and returns it as it is burned. 

If it is managed on a sustainable basis, biomass is harvested as part of a constantly replenished crop. This is either during woodland or arboricultural management or as part of a continuous programme of replanting with the new growth taking CO2 from the atmosphere.  

This maintains a closed carbon cycle with no net increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

WHY IS IT GOOD? Offers pro-

environmental opportunities for a cleaner future of our planet

It is a growing field for higher education focus

It provides economic advantages as public awareness and implementation grows

WHY IS IT GOOD?

Biomass is a flexible energy source and, can be stored and used as a fuel when required.

Approximately 6 million tonnes

of waste wood and 9 million tonnes of waste food are sent to landfill each year in the UK. This has the potential to generate 42TWh of electricity pa (i.e. 18% of the UK’s renewable energy target).

WHY IS IT GOOD? Biomass is a cost effective way

to deliver 30% of the UK’s renewable energy target by 2020, rising to 50% if biofuel for transport is included.

The total energy contained in existing UK biomass is equivalent to between 3.1% and 3.7% of the total UK primary energy consumption and this could rise to 10% by 2030 depending on improvements in energy crop management and the effective utilisation of waste materials.

WHY IS IT BAD? Growing crops specifically for biomass

could compete with space needed for food crops

Expensive Inefficient Harmful as gives off methane Consumes more fuel Growing it and transporting can be a big

problem and may need to be transported long distances which is expensive

COSTThis table shows the cost of each fuel…

1. How much do wood pellets cost per unit and per Kilo Watt Hour?

2. How about Wood chips?

WHERE IS IT FOUND AROUND THE WORLD?

HOW MUCH ENERGY MIX OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IS GENERATED USING BIOMASS?

FUN FACT TIME #2 Biomass already provides approximately

three percent of the energy used in the United States, and it has the potential to provide much more.

WHAT COUNTRIES USE BIOMASS?

Watch this YouTube video on ‘What is Biomass?’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ-cIVJuDks

EXAM-STYLE QUESTION…

To consolidate, using the notes you have made, and the handout on ‘Biomass Energy’ answer the 5 mark exam style question.

Answering the question:

1) Sustainable, explain what it means.

2) What is Biomass?

3) Look at both sides of the argument (for & against).

4) Your opinion and conclusion.

“Is Biomass a sustainable energy resource?” (5 marks)