RENEWABLE ENERGY
Biomass is a form of renewable energy , but it ’ s not entirely clean Biomass is not as efficient as its green energy contemporaries : solar , wind and hydropower are sources of infinite energy , which are not depleted when used by humans . However , for biomass to remain renewable , the items it uses , such as trees , plants and waste , must be replaced . For waste , this is inevitable , but planting fresh trees and plants requires manual labour . Gathering and transporting the stock to a biomass factory will also cause pollution unless electric transportation is used . Other traditional forms of green energy require less work after their initial completion . Wind turbines can be built in locations where they will work at peak efficiency , hydroelectric power stations are built next to suitable water levels , and solar panels can work anywhere in direct sunlight . Furthermore , unlike the dangerous chemicals produced by biomass , these clean forms of renewable energy have no side effects on humans .
Biomass is being employed as a source of energy across the world Unlike nuclear power stations , biomass can be a small-scale , at-home process . Homes with outdoor spaces can station a biomass appliance in the garden and dispose of their food waste here . The engineers at HomeBioGas created a kit that can convert organic household waste into cooking gas . Users filter their food waste into specific pots and leave the HomeBioGas kit to do the rest . Gas is created from the waste as it deteriorates and releases biogas . This is then returned to the owner ' s kitchen as they cook the next meal . In addition , the kit creates a fertiliser for the owner to use in their garden .
Biomass terminology explained
Anaerobic digestion : the process where animal or food waste is broken down . This happens in an environment free from oxygen , for example , in an anaerobic digester .
Biogas : this is a gas created through anaerobic digestion and can be used as fuel .
Biomethane : a renewable source of energy produced from biogas .
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