| Biomass sources comprise a wide variety of materials | | | | applications, therefore, should concentrate not just |
| such as forest and mill residues, agricultural crops and | | | | on the technical and scientific issues, but most |
| wastes, wood and wood wastes, animal wastes, | | | | importantly on the wider commercial market, through |
| livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, | | | | which the biomass fuels can be selected for various |
| fast-growing trees & other types of plants e.g. | | | | types of commercial applications. |
| grasses, as well as municipal and industrial wastes. | | | | The aims for various types of renewable sources of |
| These biomass materials can be burned or converted | | | | energy are very similar to each other, in that they all |
| into a gas and used as fuel. | | | | have one target: Energy that can be economical, |
| A source of energy such as biomass is one of the | | | | sustainable, and environmentally acceptable. |
| ways forward in reducing our dependency on fossil | | | | In comparison with other types of renewable source |
| fuels, plus stabilizing (and/or reducing) the CO2 in the | | | | of energy, biomass research and development, as |
| atmosphere. The term "biomass" refers to organic | | | | well as applications are taking the lead in a number of |
| matter which can be converted to energy; the name | | | | countries across the globe (Biomass Energy report, |
| "biomass" being invented in approximately 1975 to | | | | ODE, USA 2002). USA and Europe provide good |
| describe natural materials used as energy sources. | | | | examples when it comes to biomass energy |
| Commercial bio-refinery usually produces large | | | | utilization. As a consequence, various methods have |
| quantities of waste, mostly sold as animal feed. This | | | | been created to establish certain facts concerning |
| kind of waste can be used as a source of energy, | | | | biomass materials as a reliable source of energy. |
| such as for electricity, heating or as a fertiliser. | | | | "By 2020, the United States is estimated to have a |
| Despite huge increases in the price of crude oil during | | | | maximum of 7.1 quadrillion Btu of biomass available at |
| 2006 and 2007, as well as an increase in the coal | | | | prices of $5 per million Btu or lower." (Haq Z. "Biomass |
| prices, the production cost of various bio-energy | | | | for Electricity Generation", 2004). |
| fuels still do not match the production prices of fossil | | | | As the need arises with every passing day for an |
| fuels, such as coal. This means that the present | | | | alternative source of energy, where environmental |
| scenario for the commercially produced bio-fuel is still | | | | issues, long term supply/availability and economical |
| far from being realistic for the international market in | | | | reasons form the paramount factors, reliable |
| general. | | | | methods, therefore, will be vital in helping to find the |
| Therefore, there is an urgent need for a change in | | | | right biomass materials for the ever increasing need |
| the production cost to make bio-energy "affordable". | | | | for environmentally friendly, renewable, sources of |
| That means if the cost can be brought down further, | | | | energy. |
| may be even lower than the present prices of fossil | | | | "Without technological and/or behavioural intervention, |
| fuels, then that will be a great achievement for | | | | atmospheric concentration of GHGs will continue to |
| everyone concerned. | | | | increase...." (dti Project report 2005). |
| This kind of energy source transformation can be | | | | References |
| achieved successfully by following basic but important | | | | 1. "Biomass Energy" Report, Oregon Department of |
| technical and business rules. It is important that this | | | | Energy, USA 2002. |
| kind of transformation should happen with the | | | | 2. Kartha S., Larson E.D. "Bioenergy Primer: Modernised |
| appropriate support of the governments concerned | | | | Biomass Energy for Sustainable Development" United |
| and their local authorities. | | | | Nations Development Programme 2000.2. 3. "Securing |
| General, as well as specialised, comprehensive | | | | a place for Biomass in the northeast United State: a |
| investigations related to scientific, technical and | | | | review of renewable energy and related policies", |
| commercial matters should be considered and | | | | 2003. 4. Bauen A., Woods J., Hailes R. |
| analysed, as well as the conditions required for this | | | | "Biopowerswitch!" Imperial College London, Centre for |
| kind of business, on a long term basis. | | | | Energy Policy and Technology and E4tech (UK) Ltd., |
| Economic analysis forms an important part of any | | | | 2004. 5. Haq Z. "Biomass for Electricity Generation" US |
| new type of research, in particular when it comes to | | | | Department of Agriculture, (Agricultural Statistics |
| the energy issue. Biomass energy research and | | | | 2001) - 2004. |