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Biomass is matter normally thought of as garbage or waste. The majority of it consists of old or dead trees, tree branches, leaves, yard clippings, old crops, wood chips, bark as well as tires or other rubber products – and even livestock manure.
All of these elements can be combined to produce Biomass Energy through the process of burning or heating the materials to release the stored solar energy within. Biomass Energy is a very safe, Eco-friendly power source that can be replenished indefinitely as long as the energy necessary for the process is not greater than the energy that is actually released from the biomass (a common myth).
Throughout history, biomass has been a major source of energy; this has been practiced for millennia by man in a simple manner: by burning it to produce heat. Biomass Energy is still created by this method to this day. The heat from Biomass Energy can be used directly, for heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Consequently, things that most people would consider to be trash or garbage, can actually be used to produce heat, electricity, or even fuel.
Most people aren’t aware of the fact, but biomass is commonly used. For example, California produces more than 60 million tons of biomass each year, of which a total of 5 million tons is converted into Biomass Energy for electricity. This Biomass Energy comes from the lumber mill and urban wood wastes, forest and agricultural resides and other feed stocks to help produce a renewable energy source.
There multiple ways to use biomass to create energy:
- When plant matter is heated (but not burned), it breaks down into various forms such as gases, liquids and solids. These can be processed and refined into useful fuels. These fuels can either be burned in gas turbines to create electricity, or be stored in fuel cells and later used to create electricity when necessary. The advantage of this process is that very few emissions are created – and at times none.
- By using biochemical methods, equivalent to fermentation, it’s possible to convert biomass into a combustible fuel. This fuel can be burned to create power and heat.
- Biomass oil, such as soybean and canola oil, can be chemically converted to liquid fuel that can be used to create “biodiesel” fuel for trucks.
- Biomass can also be used to create compost, which is decayed plant or food products mixed together in a pile and spread out to help plants grow.
No matter what method we use the outcome is the same, a cleaner, safer energy. Each improvement in the Biomass conversion technology means we’re that much closer to a cleaner environment and a safer energy source for everybody.
Please take a look at our composting section, which provides links to products that convert Biomass Energy to compost that can be used for your garden.
