- Definition: Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals.
- Use: Biomass is used for facility heating, electric power generation, and combined heat and power.
- Methods
- Combustion of Biomass Material: The most common is direct combustion of biomass material, such as agricultural waste or woody materials.
- Gasification: Gasification produces a synthesis gas with usable energy content by heating the biomass with less oxygen than needed for complete combustion.
- Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis yields bio-oil by rapidly heating the biomass in the absence of oxygen.
- Anaerobic Digestion: Anaerobic digestion produces a renewable natural gas when organic matter is decomposed by bacteria in the absence of oxygen.
- Advantages: Compared to many other renewable energy options, biomass has the advantage of dispatchability, meaning it is controllable and available when needed.
- Disadvantages: The fuel needs to be procured, delivered, stored, and paid for. Also, biomass combustion produces emissions, which must be carefully monitored and controlled to comply with regulations.