1. OA2.1 Understand energy and its conservation
OA2.1.2 Explain the effects of various forms of energy on the environment (Biomass energy)

2. Energy from Biomass

3. Creates electricity, fuel and heat
Word
Definition
Picture
Biomass – organic material made from living things = ENERGY
Biomass Energy
Renewable resource
Creates electricity, fuel and heat

4. Uses of biomass: Burning wood for heat
Can use scrap wood, old wood, recycled wood from houses or construction
Energy from Garbage
Garbage, often called municipal solid can be collected and burned to create heat or electricity
Helps dispose of the waste of 40 million people.

6. Uses of biomass:
Energy from Landfills
Decomposing trash creates gas (biogas)
Biogas (methane) is used for heating

8. Uses of biomass: Energy from Alcohol fuels
Create ethanol and biodiesel from sugar plants
used in cars and other vehicles
added to natural gas to cut down on use of fossil fuels
Biodiesel is obtained from biomass which is a low-net- carbon fuel for vehicles.

9. Benefits of biomass energy
MOST Renewable energy – easily replaced
Far less dangerous emissions than fossil fuels
Carbon dioxide output = input = no greenhouse gases added to environment
Can easily replace fossil fuels
Greenhouse gas friendly

11. Benefits of biomass energy
Would not depend on other countries for fuel
Towns can reuse and recycle their garbage in waste-to-energy plants and create electricity
You can grow biomass on land that is not suitable for food crops
Collection of biogas…creates heat and electricity
Ethanol in gas = less fossil fuels

12. Problems with biomass energy
Burning waste = pollution = expensive scrubbers on smoke stacks to prevent pollution
Disposal of ash? Which might have heavy metals = bad for environment
Some gases (if released in atmosphere) can destroy the ozone layer – layer that keeps out harmful UV radiation
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.

15. What do you think? List some pros to biomass power?
List some cons to biomass power?
Which do you think is better….Biomass or Solar?