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Some potential sources of bioenergy energy include:
Advantages of bioenergy
The primary advantage of bioenergy is that when done properly it can be almost greenhouse gas neutral or better. Even though burning biomass fuel normally does release carbon dioxide, if new fuel is grown as part of the process then there is only a small overall impact to the climate. There are also some instances where certain greenhouse gasses can be trapped and used before they escape into the atmosphere. For example, as organic waste in municipal landfills decomposes, it gives off methane - a greenhouse gas much more powerful than carbon dioxide. Capturing the methane and using it as fuel keeps it out of the atmosphere, and generates electricity from a waste product.
Other benefits of biomass include the fact that it is a renewable resource that can be replaced or grown each year; and that it is a way to recycle waste water and materials, and reduce pollution from untreated waste streams.
Potential problems
Burning energy fuels still releases greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. In some cases, where stronger greenhouse gases would otherwise be emitted, there is a greenhouse benefit. However, when the fuel product could be put to other uses instead of being burned for energy, there are other energy sources than bioenergy that would be better for the climate.
Possibly the biggest problem with bio energy is that some bioenergy fuels come from unsustainable sources, or may indirectly support environmental pollution and degradation. For example, bioenergy from the burning of municipal waste discourages the more environmentally beneficial solution of reusing and recycling (which also help the climate by saving energy). Bioenergy can also produce toxic pollution, such as dioxins. And some companies want to burn wood materials from ancient forest logging to produce 'renewable energy'. Most environmentalists oppose this as it would encourage more logging of our precious ancient forests.
The overall energy cost also needs to be considered for bioenergy fuel production. That is, care must be taken that more energy is not used in producing the fuel than is generated by its use. For example, crops can be purpose grown for use as bioenergy fuel. Yet, industrialized farming is often unsustainable, and when you include the energy costs of artificial fertilizers the overall energy balance is negative - more energy is spent to produce the bioenergy fuel than can be gained by burning it.
Therefore, a sustainable approach to developing biomass energy systems must address concerns such as:
In addition, a standard certification system is needed for all the biomass fuel types.
It is important to note that none of these possible problems are fundamental to biomass technology, and they can be avoided with proper implementation. In areas with plentiful farmland, biomass can play a major role in supplying heat and electricity, and done properly biomass is a climate friendly solution to energy needs.
- Methane gas (e.g., from landfills and sewage treatment plants)
- Wet wastes (e.g., abattoirs, feedlots and food processing)
- Dry agricultural by-products (e.g., corn, sugarcane waste)
- Municipal mixed wastes (e.g., household garbage and prunings)
- Forestry by-products (e.g., remnants from sawmills and forestry operations).
Advantages of bioenergy
The primary advantage of bioenergy is that when done properly it can be almost greenhouse gas neutral or better. Even though burning biomass fuel normally does release carbon dioxide, if new fuel is grown as part of the process then there is only a small overall impact to the climate. There are also some instances where certain greenhouse gasses can be trapped and used before they escape into the atmosphere. For example, as organic waste in municipal landfills decomposes, it gives off methane - a greenhouse gas much more powerful than carbon dioxide. Capturing the methane and using it as fuel keeps it out of the atmosphere, and generates electricity from a waste product.
Other benefits of biomass include the fact that it is a renewable resource that can be replaced or grown each year; and that it is a way to recycle waste water and materials, and reduce pollution from untreated waste streams.
Potential problems
Burning energy fuels still releases greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. In some cases, where stronger greenhouse gases would otherwise be emitted, there is a greenhouse benefit. However, when the fuel product could be put to other uses instead of being burned for energy, there are other energy sources than bioenergy that would be better for the climate.
Possibly the biggest problem with bio energy is that some bioenergy fuels come from unsustainable sources, or may indirectly support environmental pollution and degradation. For example, bioenergy from the burning of municipal waste discourages the more environmentally beneficial solution of reusing and recycling (which also help the climate by saving energy). Bioenergy can also produce toxic pollution, such as dioxins. And some companies want to burn wood materials from ancient forest logging to produce 'renewable energy'. Most environmentalists oppose this as it would encourage more logging of our precious ancient forests.
The overall energy cost also needs to be considered for bioenergy fuel production. That is, care must be taken that more energy is not used in producing the fuel than is generated by its use. For example, crops can be purpose grown for use as bioenergy fuel. Yet, industrialized farming is often unsustainable, and when you include the energy costs of artificial fertilizers the overall energy balance is negative - more energy is spent to produce the bioenergy fuel than can be gained by burning it.
Therefore, a sustainable approach to developing biomass energy systems must address concerns such as:
- Burning wood from ancient forests
- The use of genetically modified organisms
- Intensive fertiliser and pesticide use
- Loss of top-soil
- An increase in salinity and toxic emissions
In addition, a standard certification system is needed for all the biomass fuel types.
It is important to note that none of these possible problems are fundamental to biomass technology, and they can be avoided with proper implementation. In areas with plentiful farmland, biomass can play a major role in supplying heat and electricity, and done properly biomass is a climate friendly solution to energy needs.
