Many have expressed concern about the use and regulation of biomass for energy production. Although the EPA has not yet issued a ruling on the matter, more than 60 scientists have sent letters to the agency to voice their concern. The controversy has come up in the spending bills for 2017 and 2018, and is set to continue through the 2018 legislative session. The EPA is likely following the recommendations made by the forest products sector, which supports regulation of biomass production.
Carbon absorption
A recent UK Committee on Climate Change study highlighted concerns about the deployment BECCS tech. More than 60 scientists, environmental groups and others expressed concern over the findings in a correspondence. These scientists and environmentalists pointed out that the use of biomass in energy production is not only unsustainable, but also contributes to climate change.
Woody biomass has higher Drax emissions that coal. The table below shows the relative intensities for fuels and biomass in terms carbon dioxide emissions. The table compares the amount of CO2 released per unit of energy production and compares the resulting carbon dioxide concentrations.
Woody biomass’s carbon absorption releases greenhouse gases but is lower than that produced by burning fossil fuels. These emissions are absorbed into the forest over time. The carbon from woody biomass burned for energy will eventually return to the same level it was before. This carbon absorption process in biomass, also known as carbon payment, highlights the many biomass factors. Because some feedstocks have long payback times, it is important not to allow them to tip the scales.
Natural processes and human activity are constant causes of carbon absorption in forests. It is possible to better understand how biomass contributes to the greenhouse effect by understanding the carbon cycle in forests. Forests are biologically made up of both above-ground and under-ground biomass. In addition to trees, they also include dead wood and litter, which contain nutrients and are a source of carbon.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide, which is a key greenhouse-gas, is emitted when biomass is burned. In the United States, these emissions account for about 13% of all greenhouse gas emissions. However, land can also be a source and sink of CO2. US managed forests are net sinks of carbon dioxide since 1990.
While biomass is renewable, it can also be used as an energy source. However, when it is burned, it releases greenhouse gasses. There are many types and types of biomass that could be used for energy production. According to the CBS, biomass contributes to about one-fifth of the world’s primary energy demand. According to the CBS, biomass consumption will rise to five percent seven percent by 2030. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, will increase their share.
While biomass combustion contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, it is not sufficient to meet the UN’s greenhouse gas targets. The emissions from biomass combustion are higher than those from coal and gas combustion. In 2020, biomass combustion is projected to produce 19 megatonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Methane
The atmosphere is effected by the emissions of greenhouse gases from biomass burning. These gases have a profound affect on the Earth’s climate, and environment. NASA has a program called the Biomass Burning Program whose goal is to quantify the effects of biomass burning on the Earth’s climate. The program includes studies on how biomass burning affects the environment as well as human health.
While biomass has many benefits it can also have negative environmental effects. It pollutes water and causes deforestation. Biomass is therefore not a sustainable source of energy. Moreover, its combustion releases CO2, a greenhouse gas. This increases the effects of global warming. It is important to find alternative sources of energy whenever possible.
A sustainable biofuel production process could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass power plant use waste wood to create steam that heats homes or runs turbines. Biomass power plants also produce low-emission fuel. The US’s biomass consumption accounts for 39% in total renewable energy. Its benefits include improving forest health, providing heat and baseload electricity.
Biomass is also used to make biochemicals. These chemicals produce lower GHG emissions that fossil fuels. A 25% conversion rate can reduce emissions by up to 88%.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing material. It is extremely dangerous for humans and all living things because it is tasteless, colorless, and odorless. It is found in the air and is formed from the burning of fuels like wood or biomass. The presence CO is particularly alarming to humans as it can cause breathing problems for both humans and other air-breathing species.
Carbon monoxide is a highly dangerous gas and is linked to cardiovascular disease, fetal death, and lower respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately, little information is available on the health effects of carbon dioxide exposure from biomass fuels in workplace settings. For example, in Uganda, 90% of households use biomass fuels. However, these emissions can have a major impact on the environment and public health. Urban environments are at 78% of carbon emission.
Biomass gasification converts biomass into hydrogen or carbon dioxide. This process requires heat, pressure, steam, oxygen, and a small amount. However, biomass gasification doesn’t gasify as quickly as coal and produces hydrocarbon compounds which must be removed by a catalyst. The water-gas shift reaction converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
Hydrogen
The process of producing hydrogen out of biomass is not carbon neutral. This is because the process uses high temperatures, and releases greenhouse gases. Industrial carbon capture and storage is necessary to capture CO2 emitted. Methane pyrolysis is another method that converts methane to hydrogen. This method currently is in the experimental stage.
Methane leaks can make hydrogen production more difficult, which can lead to a decrease in the fuel’s purity. Hydrogen production must comply with strict reporting and measurement protocols to prevent leakage. The Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), should ensure that hydrogen emission are accurately accounted.
Although it is unclear how much hydrogen will escape into our atmosphere, the effects of hydrogen on climate change in the short-term are significant. To prevent hydrogen from entering the atmosphere, it’s important to develop methods that minimize the risk of leakage. Furthermore, a hydrogen market must prioritize equity and labor standards and should be based on a transparent and participatory approach.
Many hydrogen production processes are energy-intensive, which results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Blue hydrogen, a type of hydrogen that is made by electrolysis, releases around 20 kg CO2/kgH2. This method also releases carbon dioxide, which may lead to an increase in global warming.
Other anthropogenic greenhouse gases
Human activities, including burning fossil fuels, biomass, and other sources, increase atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). These are the main contributors of global warming. However, these emissions can be offset by “sinks”, which are plants and other terrestrial ecosystems. As a result, biomass burning contributes only a small fraction of the total anthropogenic carbon dioxide load.
Biomass can release two kinds of carbon, black and gray. Gray carbon has an inverse cooling effect to the warming effects of brown carbon and black carbon that are associated with ash. If the emissions from biomass burning are combined with carbon dioxide emissions, the result is an increase in global temperature of 2 degrees Celsius over a 20-year period.
The atmosphere is subject to methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide from the biomass burning process. This process is responsible approximately 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions. This process also includes crops containing synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural products. Agricultural soils also contribute to emissions of nitrous oxide.
Another source of greenhouse gas emissions is deforestation. Most of the carbon found in trees is lost to the atmosphere as they are cleared for agricultural and other purposes. However, new forests absorb the carbon and remove the atmosphere from it as they grow. Deforestation contributes to approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Payback time
A biomass facility that releases greenhouse gases could be an option to reduce carbon emissions. However, these emissions have a long payback time. The decay rate of biomass is variable. Although the decay rate would be lower if the half-life was extended, the payback time would still be significant.
Biofuel production is only feasible if the payback period for biomass releasing greenhouse gasses is short. This time is typically measured over decades. In some cases, however, a shorter payback time may be necessary. For example, a sugarcane crop could have a 30-year payback.
Carbon emissions from biomass combustion are offset by fossil fuel savings and ecosystem responses. A combined heat and power plant was used to convert a small Northern European utility from coal to biofuel. Wood chips were the main biomass source, but other biomass products might also be useful. The conversion of a power plant required a boiler replacement, and minimal refurbishment.
The biomass emission factor decreases the carbon burden incurred through biomass burning. A biomass-fired powerplant will have a lower carbon footprint then a coal plant. However, the biomass supply chains will emit lower levels of carbon than coal. This will allow for climate change mitigation to be initiated immediately.
Hi there! I’m Jane and I love writing about energy management. I started ManagEnergy.tv as a way to share my knowledge with the world and help people save money on their energy bills.
