BiomassBiomass

Renewable Energy SourceRenewable Energy Source

Michael ParsonsMichael Parsons

What is Biomass?What is Biomass?

BiomassBiomass Renewable Renewable Energy from Plants Energy from Plants and Animals and Animals

BiomassBiomass contains contains stored energy from stored energy from the sun the sun

Brief history of BiomassBrief history of Biomass EthanolEthanol -1826 Samuel -1826 Samuel

Morey developed an Morey developed an engine that ran on engine that ran on ethanol and ethanol and turpentine.turpentine.

As of March 2008, U.S. As of March 2008, U.S. ethanol production capacity ethanol production capacity was at 7.2 billionwas at 7.2 billion

WoodWood - - was the primary was the primary fuel for heating and cooking fuel for heating and cooking

Garbage Garbage - 1898 Energy - 1898 Energy recovery from garbage recovery from garbage incineration started in New incineration started in New York CityYork City

2000 The EPA established a 2000 The EPA established a link between global climate link between global climate change and solid waste change and solid waste management, noting that management, noting that waste reduction and waste reduction and recycling can help reduce recycling can help reduce green house gas emissionsgreen house gas emissions

Renewable Energy SourceRenewable Energy Source

Biomass is a Biomass is a renewable renewable energyenergy source because source because we can always grow we can always grow more trees and crops, more trees and crops, and waste will always and waste will always exist. exist.

Some examples of Some examples of biomass fuels are biomass fuels are woodwood, , cropscrops, , manuremanure, and , and some garbagesome garbage..

How do we get BiomassHow do we get Biomass ? ?

Burning of Biomass- creates heatBurning of Biomass- creates heat Collecting Gas from LandfillsCollecting Gas from Landfills Crops like corn and sugar cane - Crops like corn and sugar cane -

fermentationfermentation Using Wood and Wood Waste Using Wood and Wood Waste

How Much Biomass Is Used for Fuel?How Much Biomass Is Used for Fuel?

Biomass fuels provide about 4% of the energy Biomass fuels provide about 4% of the energy used in the United States. used in the United States.

A total of 245.7 million tons of municipal A total of 245.7 million tons of municipal solid waste was generated in the United States. solid waste was generated in the United States.

32% of the MSW was recycled or composted. 32% of the MSW was recycled or composted.

Our EnvironmentOur Environment Each Form of Each Form of BiomassBiomass Has a Different Impact Has a Different Impact BiomassBiomass pollutes the air when it is burned, but pollutes the air when it is burned, but

not as much as fossil fuels do. not as much as fossil fuels do. Biomass Biomass does not produce acid rain. does not produce acid rain. When burned releases When burned releases carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide, a , a

greenhouse gasgreenhouse gas. . But when But when biomassbiomass crops are grown, a nearly crops are grown, a nearly

equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is captured through photosynthesis. captured through photosynthesis.

Where and how much?Where and how much?

Primary UsesPrimary Uses

Over half of renewable energy goes to Over half of renewable energy goes to producing electricity. producing electricity.

About 9% of U.S. electricity was generated About 9% of U.S. electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2008.from renewable sources in 2008.

Burning produces heat and steam for industrial Burning produces heat and steam for industrial purposes. purposes.

Renewable fuels, such as ethanol used for Renewable fuels, such as ethanol used for transportation and to provide heat for homes transportation and to provide heat for homes and businesses.and businesses.

Future of Biomass Future of Biomass

BiomassBiomass is a renewable energy source because is a renewable energy source because we can always grow more trees and crops, and we can always grow more trees and crops, and waste will always exist. waste will always exist.

BiomassBiomass a great option for energy of the future a great option for energy of the future Technology improvements will increase Technology improvements will increase

Biomass energyBiomass energy As the world becomes more able to use its As the world becomes more able to use its

waste…more waste…more BIOMASSBIOMASS

Change our lives?Change our lives?

Cleaner EnvironmentCleaner Environment Better use of wasteBetter use of waste More and cheaper energyMore and cheaper energy Educate the world to how we can live better!Educate the world to how we can live better!