There are many benefits of biomass energy but an appropriate use is required for reaping these benefits. The benefits of Biomass Energy are given below:
Small Carbon Footprint
As compared to fossil fuel the carbon footprint of biomass energy is small which is one of the major benefit of biomass energy. When new plant material is available to replace the used material, no net carbon dioxide increase is produces by biomass energy. Bio power reduces fossil fuel consumption which also reduces the release of carbon dioxide, this seems to be a good news but there is a problem that fossil fuels are often used for manipulation and harvesting of biomass.
According to the exact situation, for the use of bio fuel offsets or to eliminate any carbon advantage the consumption of fossil fuel is required. I think that because of this, the poor form of biomass energy is the use of corn for the production of ethanol because it takes most of the oil energy in the form of fertilizer and fuel for farm machines and the production of ethanol as itself contains by ethanol.
Methane Reduction
Methane reduction is also a benefit provided by biomass energy. Greenhouse effect is caused more by methane as compare to carbon dioxide. Methane is also released by decomposition of organic matter. Capturing of methane yields energy during protection of atmosphere. We can make good use of this gas by harvesting it.
Consider the use of an anaerobic digester for managing cattle manure, this is another area where we can have multiple benefits by applying biomass energy. Digester is a closed container, so from the beginning odor are eliminated and methane produced by decomposition is captured, burned and it also powers a generator for the production of electricity to use on the farm. The digested produces a valuable as fertilizer in which nutrients are more valuable than those in unprocessed manure, in the end.
Reduction in Forest Fires
It may seem odd to recommend cutting of trees for the protection of forests, but it is a good policy. Forest fires can thinned the forests. Fire suppression changed the natural evolution of forests which not only led to the dense growth which is not suitable for forest but also the accumulation of potential fuel by which wild fire can start. In terms of atmospheric pollution, the extreme forest fires are very dangerous and huge amount of particulate matter is released by these fires.
Forest fire produces the waste in terms of lumber and fuel lost and it also effects the atmospheric conditions. By selective harvesting of wood from a forest can save the forest from these fires and the reduction in the risk of out-of-control forest fires also causes by it.
There is a process of selective thinning in which the resultant woods can be used as lumber or fuel and we can gain energy while helping the forest. We can say that this is the situation where the benefits of biomass energy are multifaceted.
Improvement in Atmospheric Conditions
Biomass fuels replace fossil fuel to some extent and reduce field burns and the severity of forest fires, they also make reduction in air pollution and acid rain can be caused by it because of the addition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds.
There are several benefits of biomass energy, which may not provide complete energy needs but a good addition in energy mix is provided by these benefits.
Technorati Tags: Biomass Energy,Acid Rain,Air pollution,Forest,Atmosphere
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