Jun
30
Biomass is a very important renewable energy source for the United States in the future. Since 2000, biomass has been the largest source of renewable energy for the United States, making up 47% of the renewable total and 4% of all energy sources. Biomass is also the only viable renewable alternative to oil as a liquid transportation fuel. Starting this year, ethanol (biomass in its fuel state) will be produced at a rate of about 4.4 billion gallons annually. Biomass will be very important as a renewable energy source.
What is it?
Biomass is a plant-derived material converted into fuels, chemicals and power. Some materials that are often used for biomass production are:
Agricultural residues such as bagasse, corn fiber, rice straws, hulls, and nut shells
Municipal waste, which is primarily paper products
Wood waste: sawdust, timber slash, and mill scrap
Energy crops like poplar and willow trees, switchgrass, elephant grass, and prairie bluestem corn husks and stalks used for biomass
Energy production via biomass produces no net greenhouse gases, and therefore does not add to global warming. Since plants