Using these materials as a fuel is another way to keep them out of landfill by giving people an economic incentive to do so, which is yet another of the advantages of biomass. Growing crops to produce biomass typically involves heavy water usage. These processes generate varying amounts of carbon dioxide, a damaging greenhouse gas. 5. Mercury is extremely toxic and significantly damaging to the environment. Performance & security by Cloudflare. When it comes to biodiesel products such as ethanol, these are arguably less efficient that gasoline, meaning that many people are reluctant to use them. 4. The environmental and health consequences of bioenergy can be minimized through a number of efforts, including more sustainable land-use practices, re-planting efforts, and technological innovation. The efficiency rate of entry-level biomass is extremely low. 6. Compare the best offers from solar installers near you. 1. Answer: Besides carbon dioxide and monoxide emissions, burning biomass in solid, liquid, or gaseous states can emit other hazardous pollutants and particulate matter into the air, including volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. When we use biomass to generate electricity, then we can divert some of this waste into something thats useful for society. 2nd level Its worth noting that some forms of biomass can be renewed more quickly than others. Biogas majorly contains methane, whereas natural gas is a mixture of methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Return on investment. In this article, well review just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of using biomass for electricity generation. In particular, biofuels tend to generate methane, a greenhouse that is even worse for the climate than CO2. An underwater turbine can generate . Although carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are emitted through combusting, processing or otherwise using biomass, this is believed to be offset by the carbon absorbed by the plants forests grown to create the raw materials. Simply put, it involves burning organic matter to create energy. Most parts of the world do not have suitable areas where geothermal energy can be exploited. When organic matter in landfills decomposes, it emits methaneone of the most potent greenhouse gasesas well as carbon dioxide and other compounds. It may also encourage monocultures of crops, which decreases biodiversity and strips soils of nutrients, making areas more susceptible to erosion. When we look at the positives of biomass energy, this renewable resource seems like a viable alternative to the dirtier fossil fuels that we burn each day. Be notified when an answer is posted. These resources are finite: simply put, once we exploit the worlds fossil fuel resources, it will be impossible to get any more. These pollutants have adverse impacts on environmental and human health. The reliance on oil throughout the world creates an economic advantage for producers and disadvantages for consumers. For example, if producer is 1 tree then pyramid will look inverted (smaller on bottom). When we can transition more of societys energy needs to this renewable option, then our ability to extend other commodities helps to ensure that future generations have access to what they need. Pyramids of biomass are used to overcome the problem of inverted pyramids of number. That means the efforts to create biomass energy create a short-term gain economically while producing a long-term debt that future generations must manage. Some biomass plants also grow their own organic material. ethanol alcohols and carboxylic acids edexcel bbc bitesize Jul 11 2022 ethanol is the alcohol found in beer wine and other . This is usually done with high-sugar crops like sugar beets, sugar cane, or corn. 2.1 1.Few Technological Advancements. Biodiesel is less efficient than gasoline. But could biofuels be just as bad as oil and coal? Its also important to note that biomass is not the only form of renewable energy. Recycling - what's the best way to sort waste? Even with best practices in place, biomass might increase CO2 emissions. Question 3. The way energy passes through an ecosystem is described as energy flow. 9. Harvesting biomass for electricity can also help us reduce waste. Materials used to produce this bioenergy refers to feedstock which is mostly plants or animal material. Biodigestion is another way to break down biomass into a gas form in the absence of oxygen. Enter your zip code to find out what typical solar installations cost in your neighborhood. Although biomass has its benefits, its important to recognize that it also has its failings. A lot of organic and agricultural wastes are generated each day. However, there are cons to consider: compared to other sources for electricity, biomass can be expensive to gather, transport, and store. While converting organic materials into higher-grade materials can be pretty intensive, there are cheap and relatively easy ways to harness biomass as a fuel, namely through combustion. If we wanted to use biomass to power homes, energy plants would need to be set up in urban centers for ease of energy use. 1. For now, it comes with a big set of drawbacks that make it difficult for it to be widely implemented. Growing crops like corn or beets for biofuels needs space and lots of it, if we want to use biofuels on a large scale. On the other hand, planting crops gives almost guaranteed returns. Indirectly, its a way of harnessing the suns energy plants convert solar energy into organic material through photosynthesis, which we can then use as fuel. Given that water shortages are predicted to be one of the planets biggest challenges in the 21st century and beyond thanks to climate change, this is an issue that we should take very seriously. It is a renewable source of energy. If we overuse the biomass that is available, we could run into availability issues while we wait to replenish the supply. Then, when new plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide back out of the atmosphere, and enter the cycle again. It can burn directly or get converted into liquid fuels, biogas, and other products. In order to trade, your company must start with at least 50,000 of nominal share capital with at least 25% of which is paid up. It can be a carbon-neutral option when we use sustainable methods to produce new crops, but the only way to guarantee this outcome is to implement global regulations. Renewable and fossil fuel free. Some of the efficiency rates can be as low as 10%, which means 90% of the energy produced from the organic materials gets lost. This activity occurs in an unregulated manner, and it often happens without an effort at reforestation being made to replace the lost forests. 2. Other forms of renewable energy include solar, wind, and wave energy, and many of these carry less environmental concerns and are more readily renewable than biomass. Like many other forms of energy, producing electricity from biomass can come with a number of environmental downsides. Biomass, which is made from waste plant or animal material, can be burned to produce heat and electricity. Students could write a table to describe these aspects of biofuel, going on to compare them to renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar energy. If we burn these plants to produce energy while replacing them with crops that have a lower storage capacity, then the results are similar to what happens when we use fossil fuels. Some biomass plants rely on algae, which tend to require large amounts of phosphorus fertilizers to produce the amounts needed for energy production. Your IP: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources have pros and cons in terms of cost, reliability and pollution. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. <br> <br>You can get input from investors. We all know that release of vast amounts of carbon contributes greatly to climate change.Biomass energy takes care of this since it is a natural part of the carbon cycle as opposed to fossil-based sources of fuel such as oil, natural gas, and coal.Researchers say that the only carbon emitted to the environment from biomass fuels is the amount that was absorbed by plants in . The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. This opens up more land that can be used by communities. But, this is the same amount of carbon dioxide that was absorbed by the plants during their lifecycle. The best option in this category is the pellet stove, which can achieve an 80% rating with some models. Biomass energy plants require quite a bit of space, limiting the areas you can place a plant. Natural gas produces a greater greenhouse effect, whereas biogas is a more eco-friendly energy source. When the trees and forest undergrowth arent present, then the bare soil is subjected to more erosion-related activities from the wind and water. Biomass: Should we focus on more eco-friendly renewable energy? Biomass is a . BBC Bitesize Scotland article for upper primary 2nd Level Curriculum for Excellence. Our desire for renewable energy in this sector can lead to less food production. Some advantages of solar energy include: Reduced electric bill. Read about our approach to external linking. Some advantages of using biomass energy in our daily lives are listed below: Though biomass is a renewable source of energy, it has certain disadvantages, which are listed below: The prospective of biomass energy is there for all of us to see. Carbon dioxide emissions are driving forces of climate change. Fronius Smart Meter Review: Can This Smart Meter Manage Electricity? A Complete Guide, 6 Best Solar Inverters in 2023 [Including Buying Guide]. Before taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of biomass, lets start by discussing this type of material and how it can be used for fuel. Biomass pellets and wood chips are also burned locally to produce heat for a swimming pool. In this situation, deep wells can be drilled down to the hot rocks and cold water pumped down. Are energy-efficient appliances worth it? Additionally, biomass is a more reliable source of energy than fossil fuels, especially as the latter are getting more and more scarce. There is carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere when biomass energy is produced. Add to this that clearing forests contributes to reduced rainfall, and bioenergy production on a large scale could not only cause local droughts, but also wide water issues, potentially on a global scale. BBC GCSE Bitesize Different kinds of energy sources. This includes not only burning wood for heat, but also more sophisticated processes such as converting biomass to alcohol through fermentation and then burning this in a combustion engine. In some cases, the emissions and pollutants from biomass can be worse than those from fossil fuel resources. A basic contributor to mercury emission is the combustion of coal. Harvesting biomass for electricity can also help us reduce waste. Biomass production uses a lot of water. Health issues can develop with widespread biomass use. Even industry leaders have admitted that not all types of biomass are carbon neutral. Biomass is not really a viable method of generating electricity on a mass scale because of the space, money, and effort required to set up the necessary infrastructure. Bioenergy is not intermittent or variable unlike other sources of renewable energy like solar and wind: the sun isnt always shining, and the wind isnt always blowing. Several lung diseases are directly associated with the use of biomass energy activities. Overall costs largely depend on the type of biomass and how its converted to electricity. Just like fermentation used to produce alcoholic beverages, biomass can be exposed to yeast to convert its sugar content into ethanol. Predictable and consistent power. It's a Clean & Renewable Energy Source. At the moment, PHAs . Learn about the advantages & disadvantages of renewable & non-renewable energy. There are both pros and cons of utilizing biomass for energy. Phytominers cultivate crops of a specific plant species with high concentrations of a desired metal, harvest the plant and deliver it to a furnace to burn and gather its bio-ore. As a potential . As consumption levels continue to rise around the world, the growing availability of animal and plant waste allows us to have more access to this energy generation resource. Answer: Biomass continues to be an essential fuel in many countries, especially for cooking and heating in developing countries. Biomass energy creates more energy independence around the world. Biomass can be used as a source of energy in two ways: Liquid biofuels, like biodiesel and biogas, are usually used as a fuel source to help meet transportation needs. We can use biomass energy in several different ways. Comparing renewable sources of energy Energy from plants. Well take a look at these benefits, though this should be tempered with an understanding of the drawbacks, which well cover afterwards. The energy released from biomass when it is eaten, burned, or converted into fuels is called biomass energy. Students could draw flow charts, like the one featured in this clip, to track the process of turning biomass into electricity. Common energy crops such as corn, beets, and sugar cane need to be irrigated with large amounts of water when grown on an industrial scale. However, even if biomass can be favorably compared to fossil fuels in this regard, theres no contest when it comes to cleaner forms of renewable energy. Even using plants for biomass energy could increase the amount of fertilizers and pesticides being used and negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem. Methane gas is a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change, as it traps about 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide. All rights reserved. Interactive House. A class debate could ensue to suggest the best way to heat and power the school. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. 2. (signed). 7. Deforestation has a range of devastating impacts on the environment, notably: Furthermore, wood is not the only type of biomass that can contribute to deforestation. Overusing fertilizers can cause serious damage to local waterways and to wildlife, most notably birds. Constant exposure to this byproduct of heat or energy product creates a smoke inhalation hazard that can create severe health problems over time. Concrete tidal barrages can have lifespans of 100 years 3. 1.3 3.Produces a Circular Economy. The heat produces steam to power electricity generators. Advantages of Biogas. This allows electricity grid operators to use electricity from these plants during times of peak demand. Lack of Reliability. ethanol alcohols and carboxylic acids edexcel bbc bitesize Jul 10 2022 ethanol is the alcohol found in Tidal power plants last a long time: the equipment used to capture tidal power is built to last around 4 times longer than wind and solar farms. Factors that affect their properties include impact resistance, ductility, elasticity, translucence, reflectivity and brittleness. It doesn't create any additional carbon because it's already been through the natural process of photosynthesis, meaning it's already done its job of absorbing CO2. Kinetic and gravitational potential energy, Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). Students can also find moreAdvantages and Disadvantagesarticles on events, persons, sports, technology, and many more. Biomass mostly derived from plants, that means as long as plants . Were going to take a look at some key pros and cons of biomass energy, and what we can expect from biomass in the future. Solar power is a renewable source of energy that can be gathered practically anywhere in the world. Read about our approach to external linking. Biomass energy is energy generated or produced by living or once-living organisms. Students could draw flow charts, like the one featured in this clip, to track the process of turning biomass into electricity. We typically use wood and processing wastes from it to provide warmth to buildings, produce process heat for industrial purposes, or generate electricity. If you have ever driven by a factory or power plant and seen smoke coming out of the top, you're seeing . Some manufacturers can turn the organic materials into biochemicals, biodiesel, and similar fuels. We describe biomass energy as a renewable resource because each new crop that grows captures CO2 through photosynthesis. See full disclosure, 3. Food, yard, and compost waste are useful commodities, as is animal manure or even human sewage. Greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are released. Commonly known alternative energy sources Hydroelectric Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Biomass Energy Geothermal Energy and Tidal Power Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Energy Sources April 28th, 2018 - What are advantages and disadvantages . However, biomass is still releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It returns to the surface as hot water and steam, where its energy can be used to drive turbines and electricity generators. Biomass energy production takes a lot of space, money, and effort. On the pros side, bioenergy is a widely available, reliable type of renewable energy. Limited growing seasons occur in the north, making the availability of new organic material less possible during the winter. The Honua Ola Bioenergy plant in Hawaii will be able to produce 21.5 megawatts of electricity when it becomes operational. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. When we burn these items, then the chemical energy kept in the biomass releases as heat. This process works most effectively within the tropical forests of our planet. A GCSE study aide on the educational website features a bullet- . Additionally, while oftentimes viewed as an environmentally-friendly alternative to coal, producing electricity from biomass does release pollutants into the air, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and more. That is now changing. Ground Mount Solar Systems: Pros and Cons. All biomass originally gets its energy from the sun thanks to photosynthesis, biomass resources regrow in a relatively short timespan compared to fossil fuel resources that take hundreds of millions of years to replenish. Energy independence. For the last couple of centuries, the world has heavily relied on fossil fuels such as coal and oil for industry, transport, and to power our homes. 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