RENEWABLE ENERGY
What
is Biomass ?
The negative aspects of utilising biomass Biomass energy has been used to support human life since the invention of fire . Yet mass-produced biomass is a very new concept , and biomass has plenty of reasons which prevent it from becoming a mainstream source of renewable energy .
• For consumers used to low-effort energy , the idea of harvesting food waste and faeces may be too much to comprehend .
• The science for biomass is not in unison . 59 scientists from across 17 countries recently spoke out against burning trees for energy , insisting that they should be planted and left alone to grow , not dug up for fuel .
• A European Commission report revealed that 86 % of the EU ’ s wood bioenergy comes from wooden by-products , such as fallen branches , sawdust and trees cut down for forest management . However ,
14 % came from an unknown source . This could mean that the wood comes not from by-products but from healthy trees .
• Furthermore , the use of wasted food as a form of energy may encourage some to buy more food than they need . According to the United Nations , up to 690 million people went hungry in 2019 ( a 60 % increase from 2014 ). For those people impacted by food insecurity , biomass is a controversial and even insensitive idea .
• Biomass is not an inexpensive idea , as the costs of transporting biomass stocks ( particularly trees ) add up .
• Burning biomass also releases dangerous chemicals . Soot is responsible for asthma attacks , and carbon monoxide can cause nausea . But burning biomass for electricity can produce nitrogen oxides , which cause cancer . Those working with biomass will need suitable protection .
68 September 2021