Biomass is a renewable energy source, generated from burning wood, plants and other organic matter, such as manure or household waste. It releases carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned, but considerably less than fossil fuels. We consider biomass a renewable energy source, if the plants or other organic materials being burned are replaced.
A report from International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has suggested that biomass could provide 60% of global renewable energy by 2030.
A fuel for all needs
Biomass is known for its versatility given it can be used to generate heat, electricity, be used in combined heat and power units and be used as liquid fuel. In domestic settings, it tends to be found in the form of wood fuelled heating systems
It is important to note, though, that biomass is only considered renewable if it comes from a sustainable source, where new plants are grown in place of those used for fuel. It’s also important to make sure that there are no unwanted negative impacts from producing the fuel, such as loss of valuable ecosystems.
If you’re burning logs to heat your home, then the chances are that your fuel is from a sustainable local source. If you’re burning pellets, you need to make sure you’re buying sustainable pellets from a registered supplier
Making wood work
A significant proportion of projected biomass combustion is set to come from agricultural waste, but there’s also a lot of wood being burnt, and proposals to burn even more. Wood fuel production has so much potential for both positive and negative impacts, we need to be particularly careful to make sure it’s done right.
One particularly attractive option is to use waste wood and by-products, and avoid the transport and other impacts of dealing with the waste in other ways. In the UK, waste wood usage is up and exports have dropped to meet rising domestic demand. Power plants fuelled by waste wood at Tyseley in Birmingham and Welland Bio Power in Northamptonshire have helped further this trend with more on the way
In the midst of the large electricity-generating infrastructure projects it’s also important not to forget the potential role of domestic, community and smaller commercial generation using biomass – and for heating as well as electricity. For interested householders, the Renewable Heat Incentive is available to support the installation of biomass boilers and pellet stoves with integrated boilers.
A role in a waste revolution
It’s clear that while biological sources will play a significant role in the future of UK energy, there are some differing thoughts on how it should be done. But when biomass is drawn from waste sources, it can prove a compelling part of the hierarchy of waste management helping us to edge nearer to the principles of a ‘circular economy’. Analysing whole supply chains and taking a long-term view will be crucial in ensuring that biomass is as sustainable option as possible.