Biomass: An Alternative Fuel Source

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Biomass refers to the theoretically renewable energy source, wherein energy from plants is converted into usable energy. The plant source can be living or dead. Typical examples of sources of biomass energy include: trees, wood residue, shrubs, grass, starch and forage crops, algae, corn, livestock and process waste, as well as Municipal Solid Waste (plastic, paper, tires, food, etc).

The key in the renewability of biomass sources is the sun’s energy. The sun is necessary for the continuous supply of these sources of energy. Through the sun, plants undergo the process of photosynthesis. Here, chlorophyll is produced and stored as plant energy.

Biomass as an energy source is not actually new. It’s been around for ages but it is only now that people are taking a second look at this alternative fuel source. The simplest way to harness the energy from biomass is through burning. Case in point is burning wood to produce heat for cooking. This, however, may add to pollution. New technology is gearing towards harnessing biomass energy through other means, such as pyrolysis and fermentation.

Advantages and disadvantages of biomass

Using biomass as an alternative fuel source has its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Availability is one of the advantages of biomass. These sources of alternative fuels are theoretically inexhaustible and renewable. Likewise, they are available all over the world.
2. More importantly, however, is the fact that biomass fuel is one of the most efficient and clean-burning fuels around. As long as energy is not harnessed through burning, producing fuel from biomass sources are environmentally sustainable. Else, burning can pose a threat to the environment.
3. The disadvantage with biomass fuel is that it is still expensive. Innovators have not fully explored the means for efficiently converting biomass into usable fuel.