Biomass role in Energy consumption

1. Biomass role in Energy consumption

2. Figure 4-1: Biomass Role in U.S. Energy Consumption

3. Figure 4-2: Photosynthesis

4. Figure 4-3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

5. There are significant advantages as well as concerns raised when biomass is harvested as a fuel source. Advantages include: Biomass is renewable. Properly managed, new fuel sources can be planted to replace those that are harvested. It is virtually carbon neutral. The crop planted to replace the crop converted to fuel (ethanol in this example) will in theory absorb the greenhouse gas emissions generated by burning the biofuel. (continued)

6. There are significant advantages as well as concerns raised when biomass is harvested as a fuel source. Advantages include: (continued) Biomass is relatively inexpensive. Biofuels can be manufactured at costs comparable to fossil fuel sources. It reduces dependency on non-renewable imported oil and gas. Biomass supports the growth of agriculture, forestry and other rural economic development. (continued)

7. There are significant advantages as well as concerns raised when biomass is harvested as a fuel source. Advantages include: (continued) It helps to stabilize commodity prices by providing a consistent and large demand source. Biofuels are non-toxic and biodegradable. Often no modifications to conventional internal combustion engines are required to use biofuels. It takes advantage of wasted potential energy by harvesting waste products that otherwise would simply end up in a landfill.

8. Figure 4-4: The Biofuel Carbon Cycle

9. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: Food versus Fuel. There is a concern that if the growing of biofuels proves more lucrative than the growing of food, farmers will convert their land to producing fuel and food production will decline. It is feared that this will lead to massive food shortages and higher prices. In 2008, over a six-month period of time, the price of corn increased 67% largely due to a perception that ethanol production would consume a significant amount of the corn production. Berkley Perspective (continued)

10. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: (continued) Not enough biomass. There are concerns that there simply is not enough biomass on the planet to meet current and anticipated energy demands. A 2003 study found that it would require 22 percent of all the plant matter grown each year worldwide to supply biofuel to meet the needs of current energy demands (this is roughly twice what is currently utilized to supply the agricultural needs of the planet). For example, if ALL the corn produced in the U.S. was converted to ethanol, it would only supply 10% of the energy currently supplied by gasoline. Generator Spirulina Algae. At Home (continued)

11. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: (continued) Not carbon neutral. Depending on the crop used in the biofuel conversion, the process may not be carbon neutral as it often takes a significant amount of fossil fuels to grow the crop. Studies in the UK have found that biofuels in their current form save only about 50-60% of the carbon emissions as compared to burning fossil fuels. This is significant, but not the 100% claimed by many proponents of biofuels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that when land use conversion is factored into the production of ethanol (forests, for example, cut down to plant corn) - using ethanol actually INCREASES greenhouse gas emissions by 5% over a 30-year period of time. (continued)

12. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: (continued) Fear of impact. There is a fear that if a significant portion of the agricultural land is dedicated to crops to support biofuels, biodiversity will suffer (for example, rain forests may be cut down to support biofuel “plantations.”) Deforestation currently accounts for about a fifth of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions, according to Greenpeace. (continued)

13. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: (continued) Soil Erosion. Intensive land management for increased crop yields has resulted in significant soil erosion. The Iowa Natural Resources Inventory has found that land used to produce crops for ethanol loses about 4.9 tons of soil per acre. This is the equivalent of 21 pounds of soil for every gallon of fuel (2.5 kilograms per liter). Proper Cropping for conservation (continued)

14. The disadvantages of biomass as a fuel source include: (continued) Airborne Pollution. The burning of biomass releases a large number of airborne particulates. This can be a major health concern, especially in developing nations where biomass is a major source of fuel for cooking and heating. What is Black Carbon?

15. Many powerful groups have lobbied government officials to incorporate biofuels as a significant component in a national energy policy. Some of these initiatives include: 20 in 10: In 2007 U.S. President George W. Bush announced an initiative targeting a 20% reduction in fossil fuel consumption within 10 years (2017) primarily through the use of biofuels. (continued)

16. Many powerful groups have lobbied government officials to incorporate biofuels as a significant component in a national energy policy. Some of these initiatives include: (continued) 25 x ‘25: A non-partisan lobbying effort (promoted primarily by agricultural and forestry industry interests) began in 2004 to promote a national policy resulting in 25% of all fuel consumption in the U.S. obtained from managed agricultural and forestry sources by the year 2025. (continued)

17. Many powerful groups have lobbied government officials to incorporate biofuels as a significant component in a national energy policy. Some of these initiatives include: (continued) The Biomass Technical Advisory Committee: A committee established by the U.S. Congress to determine the future direction of federal biomass funding. A report published in 2005 envisioned a domestic energy market where 30% of energy consumption was supplied from biomass.

18. Figure 4-5: Annual Biomass Production Targets

19. In order to achieve U.S. government projected goals, however, a number of assumptions were made. These include: Yields per acre for corn, wheat and other small grains will increase by more than 50% over the coming years The technology for recovering crop residue (materials left behind when harvesting) improves to become 75% efficient (currently less than 40% efficient) (continued)

20. In order to achieve U.S. government projected goals, however, a number of assumptions were made. These include: (continued) All cropland (100%) will be managed using no-till methods (a process of harvesting where crop residue is left on the surface of the soil - no plowing - to ensure consistent soil moisture and temperature for future planting), up from about 13% today 55 million acres of cropland and pasture will be converted to growing perennial biomass crops (such as switchgrass, willow and other woody materials) (continued)

21. In order to achieve U.S. government projected goals, however, a number of assumptions were made. These include: (continued) No significant increase or reduction in farming acreage (from current agricultural inventories of 455 million acres to 448 million acres in 2030) All manure except that which is applied on the farm where it is produced for soil embellishment will be used as biomass All available residuals (zero waste) will be used as biomass

22. Figure 4-6: Potential Sources for Biomass

23. Anticipated sources for biomass include: Logging and other timber residues (branches, stumps, etc.) through forest management (Silviculture) Fuel treatment (removing excess brush and trees to manage forests in an effort to avoid damaging forest fires) Firewood (for wood stoves, furnaces, etc.) Urban wood residues (such as tree trimmings, wood from demolished homes, etc.) (continued)

24. Anticipated sources for biomass include: (continued) Pulp residues (black liquors from paper processing contain chemicals and unprocessed pulp. Technology to gasify these liquors may provide a more efficient energy source than simply burning them.) Bark, slabs and sawdust from wood processing Grains (factoring in increased yields) Perennial crops such as switchgrass, poplar and willow (continued)

25. Anticipated sources for biomass include: (continued) Crop residues (corn stalks, etc) Process residues (waste material collected when plant material is used in the production cycle). These include manure from animals, municipal waste, industrial waste (for example, about 20% of the corn kernel is wasted when corn is converted to ethanol), and others.

26. Achieving U.S. government projected targets envisions a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials. However, these materials serve some very useful purposes when left in the field. They: Reduce soil erosion Reduce soil compaction Increase the organic content of the soil Increase moisture holding capacity of the soil (continued)

27. Achieving U.S. government projected targets envisions a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials. However, these materials serve some very useful purposes when left in the field. They: (continued) Reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers Provide food and habitat for wildlife, including beneficial soil enhancing organisms

28. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: Accessibility to forests. Much of the available biomass contained within forests is simply not accessible (no roads, steep terrain, etc). Public resentment. If large swaths of timber were harvested to provide energy, public sentiment may quickly turn against biomass as an alternative fuel source. (continued)

29. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Transportation costs. Moving timber can cost between $.20-.60 per mile per ton. Unless conversion facilities are located close to the source, this transportation cost will add significantly to the cost of utilizing biofuels as an energy source. (continued)

30. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Labor availability. A significant portion of the biomass from woodlands is obtained through reducing the fuel load to prevent forest fires. This requires skilled forestry workers in numbers that are likely not available. (continued)

31. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Federal policy. Forest management is a long-term process. Government policies currently do not provide significant incentives for programs such as tree planting and woodlands management (less than ½ of one percent of agricultural payments to farmers). (continued)

32. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Contamination of materials. Recovered wood products (from urban residue and industrial residue) can add significantly to the cost of processing. These materials often contain non-biomass components (plastics, asbestos, oil paints, etc) that must be cleaned or removed during processing. (continued)

33. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Changing farming habits. Utilizing crop residues, no-till farming, and conversion to perennials require significant changes in the culture of farming. These farming practices are slow to change unless there are significant financial incentives. (continued)

34. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Damage to the soil. Removing residuals from the soil will likely lead to lower soil quality (need for additional fertilizers) as well as increased soil erosion. Raising corn, for instance, erodes the soil about 12 times faster than it can naturally be replenished. (continued)

35. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Water. Increasing production will almost certainly require additional water resources - many of which are already unreliable and stretched to capacity. Again, the production of corn depletes ground water 25% faster (on average) than it can be recharged. (continued)

36. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Crop Storage. Farming is seasonal, with periods of plenty and periods of low production. During times when harvests are good, there may be need for significant storage facilities to handle the excess production. These infrastructure needs add cost and complexity to the system. (continued)

37. Other concerns in achieving U.S. government projected targets by a significant increase in the harvesting of residual crop materials include: (continued) Concentration of Resources. Many fear that biofuel production will increasingly concentrate control of food resources and prices within large agri-business producers and processors (accelerating the trend away from small family farm production).

38. In 2005 a group of about 100 non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wrote to the United Nations warning that increased use of biofuels will: Marginalize small-scale agriculture and lead to the widespread conversion of forests and other sensitive ecosystems Lead to very high food prices and cause hunger, malnutrition and impoverishment amongst the poorest sectors of society (continued)

39. In 2005 a group of about 100 non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wrote to the United Nations warning that increased use of biofuels will: (continued) Lead to rural unemployment and depopulation Destroy the traditions, cultures, languages and spiritual values of indigenous peoples and rural communities Lead to a more extensive use of agro-chemicals, which will affect human health and sensitive ecosystems (continued)

40. In 2005 a group of about 100 non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wrote to the United Nations warning that increased use of biofuels will: (continued) Lead to the destruction of watersheds and the pollution of rivers, lakes and streams Cause droughts and other local and regional climatic extremes (due to deforestation) Put the food system at risk through the extensive use of genetically modified organisms (in an effort to boost crop production).

41. Initiatives such as the 25 x ‘25 publish a list of goals that are incorporated into biomass proposals to address concerns such as: Access: All producers, large and small must have access to the biomass marketplace Air Quality: Use of biomass must improve air quality, not damage it. Use of biomass must also result in a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. (continued)

42. Initiatives such as the 25 x ‘25 publish a list of goals that are incorporated into biomass proposals to address concerns such as: (continued) Biodiversity: Native, rare and threatened plant and animal species must be protected. Invasive and Non-Native Species: Invasive species must not be introduced in an effort to increase biomass yields. (continued)

43. Initiatives such as the 25 x ‘25 publish a list of goals that are incorporated into biomass proposals to address concerns such as: (continued) Soil Quality: Biomass production should seek to enhance soil quality and avoid erosion. Water Quality and Quantity: Production of biomass should not adversely impact available water resources or water quality.

44. There exist a number of alternative sources that hold promise in producing significant quantities of fuel. These include: Municipal waste Food and crop waste Animal waste Algae Switchgrass

45. Figure 4-7: Inexpensive Biodigestor

46. Figure 4-8: Mature Switchgrass

47. All organic material contains the potential for energy which can be extracted in a number of ways. These include: Combustion: Biomass can simply be burned to generate heat and/or electricity. Since the dawn of time, wood has been used as a primary heat source. Today about 3% of the U.S. electrical energy is obtained through the burning of wood, wood waste and municipal waste. (continued)

48. All organic material contains the potential for energy which can be extracted in a number of ways. These include: (continued) Gasification: Biomass can be heated to form a synthetic gas call Syngas. Syngas can then be used to generate electricity or can be converted into fuels such as ethanol, methanol or hydrogen. (continued)

49. All organic material contains the potential for energy which can be extracted in a number of ways. These include: (continued) Fermentation and Biodigestion: The sugars contained within plant material can be broken down by yeast to produce carbon dioxide and alcohol. This process is known as Fermentation and is the basis for ethanol production. Similarly, the organic material in biomass can also break down to form methane and carbon dioxide. This process (known as biodigestion), as well as fermentation, are both anaerobic processes (taking place in oxygen-free environments).

50. Figure 4-9: Pellet Stove