Careers360 Logo
Biomass Definition Energy Source: Definition ,Introduction, Types, Disadvantages, Production

Biomass Definition Energy Source: Definition ,Introduction, Types, Disadvantages, Production

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Sep 18, 2024 02:29 PM IST

Biomass refers to organic plant matter as a fuel and energy source. Biomass fuel is necessary because it is a renewable and sustainable energy source. For example, biomass is used to generate electricity. Thanks to this, biomass can replace fossil fuels.

Recyclable organic materials such as wood, agricultural waste and household waste are excellent resources for biomass fuel production. Biomass can be directly burned to convert methane and ethanol into biofuels. The chemical composition of biomass includes hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, some alkali metal atoms, alkaline earth metals and heavy metals.

What is Biomass?

Biomass is any organic matter that can be used as a source of energy, such as trees, crops, seaweed, and animal waste. Biomass is the oldest energy source. People have been burning firewood to heat their homes and cook food for thousands of years.

What Is Biomass Energy?

Biomass energy is renewable energy generated from plants and animals. For example, flowers generate electricity from biomass through photosynthesis. Biomass energy is far more beneficial to the environment than non-renewable energy sources such as coal.

Definition of Biomass in terms of energy

The energy produced from biomass is called biomass energy. Any organic matter that can have energy in a reaction can produce biomass energy. It can be trees, leaves, pellets, droppings and other organic matter. From a technological point of view, biomass energy was discovered when people lived in caves. In the 13th century, Marco Polo described the use of biomass for fuel production, inspired by the Chinese who used it to cover sewage tanks for biogas production.

What is bioenergy?

Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy produced by burning fuel from biomass. Biomass fuels are made from organic materials such as crop residues, specially grown crops, and organic waste from households, businesses and farms.

What are Biomass Fuels?

Biomass fuel is an organic material produced in a renewable manner. Two categories of biomass fuels, wood fuel and animal waste, make up most of the available biomass fuel. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is also a source of biomass fuel. Biomass fuels have a lower energy density than fossil fuels. This means that much more biomass fuel is needed to produce the same energy as less fossil fuel.

Advantages of biomass energy:

The benefits of biomass energy are:

1. Biomass is widely available as a renewable energy source: The amount of organic material used in biomass production is limitless as our society continuously generates garbage, wood and manure.

2. Carbon neutral: As biomass fuels are a natural part of photosynthesis, they release only as much carbon into the atmosphere as plants absorb during their life cycle.

3. It reduces the overreliance on fossil fuels: Fossil fuels cause and limit environmental problems, such as releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and pollutants into the atmosphere during disposal, transportation and production.

4. Less expensive than fossil fuels: Fossil fuel production requires significant capital investments such as drilling for oil, building gas pipelines and collecting energy, but biomass technology is much cheaper. Producers and manufacturers can earn higher profits with less production.

Disadvantages of biomass energy:

1. Incineration harms humans because it emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, but synthesising biomass from waste is safer for the environment because it emits less carbon dioxide.

2. Biomass production can cause serious health problems or pose risks to people due to the lack of understanding and necessary procedures, especially in low-income areas.

3. Deforestation, land degradation and attack can be significant issues related to biomass production, depending on the resources used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is biomass?

Biomass is any organic matter that can be used as a source of energy, such as trees, crops, seaweed, and animal waste. Biomass is the oldest energy source.

2. What is bioenergy?

Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy produced by burning fuel from biomass. Biomass fuels are made from organic materials such as crop residues, specially grown crops, and organic waste from households, businesses and farms.

3. What Is Biomass Energy?

Biomass energy is renewable energy released from plants and animals.

4. What are Biomass Fuels?

Biomass fuel is an organic material produced in a renewable manner. Two categories of biomass fuels, wood fuel and animal waste, make up most of the available biomass fuel. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is also a source of biomass fuel. Biomass fuels have a lower energy density than fossil fuels. This means that much more biomass fuel is needed to produce the same energy as less fossil fuel.

5. Write three advantages of biomass energy.

The advantages of biomass energy are:

1. Biomass is always and widely available as a renewable energy source: The amount of organic material used in biomass production is limitless as our society continuously generates waste such as garbage, wood and manure.

2. It is carbon neutral: As a natural part of photosynthesis, biomass fuels release only as much carbon into the atmosphere as plants absorb during their life cycle.  

3. It reduces the overreliance on fossil fuels: Fossil fuels cause and limit environmental problems, such as releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and pollutants into the atmosphere during disposal, transportation and production.

Articles

Back to top