Biomass Energy Pros and Cons

Biomass is composed of organic material obtained mainly from plants and animals. Carbon is the main constituent of biomass energy. Other than carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, heavy metals and alkaline earth are also present in biomass energy. Biomass energy can be generated from plants and animal wastes, wood, leaves of plants, agricultural wastes, organic wastes, waste paper and wastes from food processing industries. Being an economical energy resource, it is important to know the biomass energy pros and cons.

Biomass Energy Pros

• Biomass energy is an inexhaustible and renewable energy source. The products obtained are biogas and biofuel. Heat and electricity are generated during biomass energy production.
• There is plethora of organic waste and agricultural waste generated everyday. Biomass is produced from these wastes, which makes biomass an easily available resource.
• It helps in solid waste management by keeping us pollution free. Incineration of biological wastes everyday, cuts down the levels of expulsion of carbon into the atmosphere. Thus, it maintains an ecological balance of carbon present in the environment.
• Biomass briquettes are the substances which produce electricity. The electricity generated by the briquettes is much cleaner than that obtained from fossil fuels. It does not emit any greenhouse gases.
• One of the most important advantages of biomass energy is that it is cost effective. Generally, the energy is generated and supplied in the same area due to which installation of large pipelines is not required.

Biomass Energy Cons

• Some of the gases like carbon-dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are emitted into the atmosphere during biomass production which may damage the ozone layer. It may contribute to global warming.
• The process of extraction of biomass is very expensive.
• The accumulation, harvesting and storage of raw biomass materials is quite expensive compared to that of fossil fuels.
• The set up of a biomass power plant requires huge space and the recycling of wastes requires a large amount of water.
• Another biomass energy disadvantage is that the ethanol produced during the process, may increase the levels of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere.

Interesting Facts of Biomass Energy

• Biomass is an ubiquitous resource.
• In rural districts, people use biomass as a source of heat for cooking and heating purposes.
• People living in rural areas use the fuel obtained from biomass in their agricultural activities like crop-drying.
• Biomass is used for the production of natural gas called biogas.
• Biomass can replace the use of fossil fuels thus contributing to a reduction in air pollution.
• Biodiesel is obtained from biomass which is a low-net-carbon fuel for vehicles.

Thus, after looking at the pros and cons of biomass energy, one can easily notice that biomass advantages outweigh its disadvantages. Biomass has the potential to supply 15 times more energy than that produced from the wind and the sun. More effective methods of using biomass have evolved in recent times. Biomass will always remain a useful energy source as it is efficient and environment friendly.