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BIOMASS
Overview
What is Biomass, you might ask? Well in a way, just like
air, we are surrounded by it in the great outdoors. The term Biomass basically
refers to any plant derived organic matter that is available
on a renewable basis. This includes wood wastes and residues,
agricultural food and feed crops, wastes, and residues, aquatic
plants, and animal, municipal, and other organic wastes.
It may also involve dedicated energy crops.
Biomass energy comes from the capture of the fuel that is
stored in these organisms. This can happen by direct combustion,
or by conversion into ethanol, biodiesel, biogas or hydrogen.
An estimated 11 percent of the world’s total primary energy
supply is produced from biomass, mostly in the form of firewood
and charcoal, According to the 2000 World Energy Assessment,
the world has the technical potential to produce 27,000 –
82,000 TWh from biomass per year during the 21st
century, representing 23 to 70 per cent of our current energy
needs. Conversion costs continue to remain as a bit of an
obstacle, with biomass-produced electricity rates costing
in the US$0.07 – 0.09/kWh range. (9 to 12 cents/kWh Canadian)
Links
Credits
Written by Mike Boyd for the BC Sustainable Energy Association.
Text updated March 24, 2004
Links updated September 9, 2007
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